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Chapter Text

“Rejoice Wei Wuxian is dead!” As that single sentence was declared, voices rejoiced, it had finally been done. The man turned monster, the mark against the cultivation world. Wei Wuxian was no more.

As soon as it had been confirmed that the man was dead people began to organise banquets and feasts, people expected for the celebrations to go on for days. The Jin’s spared no expense in creating such a celebration, inviting every leader to attend this celebration. Sandu Shengshou had to decline the invitation on the account of getting the young master Jin to accommodate to his new home in Lotus pier; he'd fought against the elders within the Jin clan to have custody over the young boy. After all he was the only blood relative of the young master, on account of the head of the Jin clan being untrustworthy of raising such a child. Madam Jin would have done it in his stead, however after losing both her son and daughter in law, as well as having no support from her husband had led to her falling into depression.

Chiefeng-Zun graciously accepted the invitation for the Nie Clan and was accompanied by his younger brother to attend the event, however a short time into the celebrations Nie Huisang was to be found in the family shrine of the Jin’s. When asked to leave he had refused, stating he would leave only if his brother came. Upon summoning the elder the man had seen Huisang’s actions and ordered no-one to disturb him, after all, the two had once studied with Huisang. He’d lost people close to him as well.

Zewu-Jun kindly accepted the invite for the Lan Clan, he was accompanied by Lan Qiren. He profusely apologised for the absence of his brother, according to them he had sustained injuries from a wild Yao and would be unable to attend. Unknown to others Lan Wangji was currently nursing injuries he’d worsened through a journey to Nightless City, then to travelling to the Burial Mounds. He knew he’d end up spending even longer in recovery by doing this, but he had to. He just had to.

Meanwhile the celebrations continued, despite not being at the Jin’s celebration the Jiang leader had decided that the people of Lotus Pier would throw a celebration of their own. Banners were hoisted up, the pier and streets decorated. Children ran through the streets in the evening light while carrying qingtuan, granted none of the other cities would be eating this treat but Lotus Pier would. The children would not soon forget the kind man who had offered them shelter from the harsh winters, when no other cities had offered to help them Lotus Pier had with the great Sandu Shengshou and his right hand man. Although the children had been forbidden to discuss such things, the people amongst the Pier had been concerned that the mention of Wei Wuxian would send their Young master into a violent frenzy. But they couldn’t have been farther from the truth, Jiang Cheng wished the townsfolk had continued to speak of his older brother, to not let his Shixiong’s name be tarnished by the people of his home. While caring for Jin Rulan Jiang Cheng had begun to realise he kept returning to his family shrine, sometimes he would speak to all of his family. His mother, his father, his sister and his brother. Sometimes he would just speak to his siblings, others he wouldn’t utter a word. People began to speculate he felt regret of his sister's death and would consistently sit there with her son in order to apologise, no one knew Wei Wuxian had his own nameplate inside. Jiang Cheng hadn’t allowed anyone inside while it was out on display.

As the years went by Jiang Cheng continued his responsibilities as Sect leader, as well as tending to the projects his brother left behind. The orphanage for the homeless kids, the training regime he’d left behind for his future shidi. Amongst a few other projects.

He never did have his brother's room cleaned out, it had remained untouched, apart from the few times Jiang Cheng himself had entered the room.

“Uncle?” Jin Rulan had asked one time while the pair of them had been enjoying a late dinner on the account of a meeting with various trade suppliers running long.

“Yes A-Rulan?” The young boy had a slight dislike of his courtesy name, but Jiang Cheng would use it nonetheless. It was the name he’d chosen.

“Who is the man with you and mama in the portrait in your study?” The young boy had been wandering around the pier while awaiting his Uncle, he’d managed to make his way into Jiang Cheng’s study which was usually occupied. It was then he’d found an old portrait of his uncle and mother, accompanied by a man he hadn’t seen in any other portraits around the pier. Jiang Cheng had frozen at his nephew’s words, how had he managed to get into the study? He was sure he had it locked. The portrait he’d seen was an old one, one his sister had demanded be done when both boys were seventeen, she had been nineteen, it was a family portrait as she’d called it. A real one. Where everyone had been smiling a genuine smile, he could still remember his siblings reaction to the finished product.

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“Shijie look! You look so beautiful in this painting.” She had chuckled at her younger brother's words.

“A-Xian, we all look beautiful in the painting.” Yanli had carefully removed the painting from her brother's hands in fear of him breaking it; she didn’t think he’d be able to sit through another painting session if he’d damaged this one.

“I’m not sure, Jiang Cheng looks pretty ugly if you ask me?” The youngest had immediately launched at his elder brother, spouting angry words at the now laughing boy. Yanli had allowed the two to fight out their small grievance; she knew if she always solved their disputes they’d never learn how once she was gone.

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“Uncle?” Rulan questioned his Uncle once more, he’d seemed to space out while recalling a memory. Being snapped back to reality Jiang Cheng placed his cutlery down as he slowly rose to his feet and made his way over to his nephew.

“A-Rulan, join me for a walk.” It wasn’t a demand nor was it a suggestion, Jiang Cheng had been careful how he was raising the boy. He couldn’t be too harsh on him like his mother and father had been on him, he knows how that turned out. But he couldn’t be too soft on the boy on the account of him not wanting another Wei Wuxian running around, although some days he’d think it would be nice if he turned out like his older brother.

Jin Ling quickly downed the rest of his drink before rising and joining his Uncle on a short venture.

The two walked throughout the pier in silence, any individuals they came across had bowed to the two in respect. Jiang Cheng had returned the bows in turn, followed by Jin Rulan who nearly fell a couple of times. Just as they arrived at their destination Jiang Cheng paused in his steps causing Rulan to crash into his leg.

“Uncle?” Rulan questioned as he held onto the fabric of the Sect leaders leg, Jiang Cheng appeared to snap out of a trance he was in and looked down to his young nephew. Looking at the small boy Jiang Cheng sees how similar Rulan looks to his mother with his soft features, although he had his fathers eyes.

“A-Rulan, I want to give you something. But you have to promise to look after it.” The young boy's eyes lit up at the prospect of a gift from his uncle. He eagerly nodded his head in agreement, Jiang Cheng had to stifle a small laugh at the boy's actions. He reminded him of himself when he was little.

Jiang Cheng pushed the study’s door open with little force, the room had been blanketed in darkness before. However, as the doors opened the small portrait of the three siblings was brought to light, Rulan stared at it shocked once more. He hadn’t been able to find any images of his parents apart from the wedding portrait his parents had done. He had been given a smaller version on his most recent birthday; the Jin elder’s had deemed this a fitting gift for the young master. Jiang Cheng had nearly thrown a fit at them for sending such a gift. He had wanted to explain to Rulan when he was slightly older what had happened to his parents. The boy had only asked after his parents once, the pair had been strolling through Lotus Pier when the young Rulan saw a small family of rogue cultivators passing through.

When questioned about their whereabouts Jiang Cheng had calmly stated they were away and couldn’t come see him. The young Jin Rulan had understood and never asked again.

As Rulan remained in the hallway staring up at the portrait his mother was in, Jiang Cheng had been busy tracing his steps along the floorboards. When he finally reached the one he was looking for Jiang Cheng looped his fingers into the knot of the wood and pulled it backwards. Jin Rulan finally took notice of his uncle’s actions and snuck up beside him, what he was able to see from the removed panel was a small box which looked intricately carved, there were various lotus flowers along the box. One perfectly centred at the top while two others were on the opposite sides. Jiang Cheng pulled the box out of the depths of the darkness and settled it upon his desk, now that Jin Rulan took more notice the box was covered in what looked to be years of dust. Quickly giving it a wipe down with the edge of his robes Jiang Cheng bit into the skin of his thumb, once the blood came to the surface he allowed a single drop of blood to fall on the central lotus. It was then that a soft red glow emitted from the box before Jiang Cheng lifted the lid off the top.

Inside there was a multitude of objects: a bamboo flute, a clarity bell with purple tassels although it looked to be more detailed than the usual clarity bells the other disciples wore, a multitude of worn books and finally a worn red ribbon. Jiang Cheng carefully removed the red ribbon from the contents of the box before closing it once more.

“This belonged to your uncle.” Jiang Cheng stated as he ran the fabric between his fingers, it felt so familiar for him but also different. Jin Rulan nodded his head in understanding, he didn’t know which uncle he was referring to but he still wanted the gift.

“You have to understand A-Rulan… Your Uncle he… He made some bad decisions…” The young Rulan tilted his head to the side in confusion, he was too young to understand his Uncle’s confusing words.

“But I want you to understand… Your Uncle cared for both your mother and myself a lot, he would have loved to meet you as well.” Jiang Cheng continued to gaze at the ribbon as he spoke, it was as if he was recalling memories connected to this ribbon. Rulan took notice of the sad smile on his Uncle’s face. In an attempt to cheer him up Rulan hugged his Uncle’s leg, this caught the man off guard and startled the Sect leader slightly.

“Rulan, do you promise me that if I give you this you will look after it?” The young boy refused to let go of his Uncle’s leg, he merely lifted his head to look at the man and nodded his head.

“If it’s important to Uncle it’s important to Rulan.” The boy uttered with a soft smile afterwards, the look reminded Jiang Cheng exactly of his brother. In an attempt to stifle his tears he picked the young boy up and hugged him tightly.

Jiang Cheng made a promise to himself that day, he wouldn’t let his nephew befall the fate his siblings had. He would ensure he would be safe and happy, even at the expense of his own life.

Chapter Text

“Come on Sizhui, is that the best you can do?” A young Lan Jingyi challenged as he landed yet another heavy strike to the boy. Sizhui heaved another heavy breath as he blocked the strike Jingyi had thrown at him, he managed to push the boy back a few steps however it wasn’t long before Jingyi came running up with a following attack.

“How do you have the strength for all this?” Sizhui questioned as he attempted to dodge the boy’s attack, his robes got torn in the process however. Sizhui hadn’t taken notice as continued his attempt to flee.

“Because this is fun.” He answered with a bright smile plastering his face, Sizhui genuinely thought there was something wrong with that boy sometimes. Jingyi believed almost everything was fun, well apart from Grand master Lan’s lectures.

“Also you were the one who wanted to practise.” Sizhui nodded in agreement, he had wanted to practise. He was twelve next week and his sword skills could do with some improvement. When his father was his age he was able to wield his sword incredibly well, people had said it was like watching snowflakes fall from the sky. The beauty of it was unparalleled.

Meanwhile Sizhui had been described as poorly disciplined, he’d lacked restraint and lacked technique. Grand master Lan hadn’t been kind on his words, although he was typically like that with the young boy on the account of who his father was.

“Jingyi…” Sizhui managed to spit out between panted breaths, “How can I make my technique better?” Jingyi stalled in his next attack and looked to his closest friend, he knew the poor boy was under a lot of stress and expectations. He’d overheard a conversation between their teacher and Sizhui a week ago, it hadn’t been the kindest either.

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“Lan Sizhui, do you understand what’s expected of you?” Lan Qiren had stated, Sizhui had been forced to kneel as the teacher stood towering above. Jingyi had been passing by when he heard the beginnings of the conversation in the library, he continued to listen in by hiding beneath the window.

“Yes sir, I do understand.” Sizhui had said it in such a solemn voice that it began to make Jingyi concerned, he’d heard him put on a voice similar to that in the past but there was always a slight happiness beneath it. But the voice he had right now was one of despair, as if he’d given up.

“Then please, tell me why these scores are the way they are?” Lan Qiren threw a pile of papers towards Sizhui who managed to refrain from flinching, one of them had caught his cheek causing a sting to run through his nerves but he still refused to move.

“I am trying my best sir.” He answered as he began to arrange the papers into an organised pile, however it was pointless as Lan Qiren went to topple the pile once more.

“Well your best isn’t good enough if you can only get just above half marks.” Jingyi couldn’t believe that their teacher would put down a student like this, he knew Sizhui had been trying his hardest in all his classes. Granted in the past few months he had been spending a lot more extra time with Uncle instead of the library as he had been ever since he’d met him.

“To think that Xichen was considering naming you as the next Sect leader.” That caught both boys' attention, this caused Sizhui to stare up at his teacher in disbelief.

“Uncle said that…” Sizhui muttered under his breath as he took in the words, however his words appeared to stoke Lan Qiren’s anger.

“You have no right to call him that!” Before Sizhui even had a chance to take his words back Lan Qiren grasped his wrist and began to drag him out of the library. Fearing what would happen to Sizhui, Jingyi followed not far behind.

“Grand master Lan, where are we going?” Sizhui questioned in what sounded like a restrained panicked tone. Lan Qiren refused to answer the boy and continued to drag the boy throughout the place, the other disciples looked on at the pair as they had walked past. Sizhui had pleaded with near tears in eyes for them to help him, but all of them had looked away in pity.

Finally the pair had arrived at the main hall where a few disciples had been lounging about talking amongst themselves, they had various studying equipment out to appear looking studious. However, when the furious Lan Qiren had entered they quickly gathered their resources and fled. However they didn’t venture too far away as they were intrigued by the young boy at the Grandmasters' side.

Lan Qiren finally dropped his grip from the young Sizhui once the room had been cleared.

“Kneel!” He hollered, without a second thought Sizhui did as he was ordered, by this point some of the fellow students of Jingyi’s class had taken notice of the commotion and approached him. Jingyi hadn’t uttered a word to them, only looked at them with a concerned expression plastered across his face. This then worried his classmates as Jingyi was never seen without a smile, the group then began to spectate alongside Jingyi at the current events.

“Take off your top robes.” Lan Qiren ordered Sizhui, the boy looked up to the man in confusion but quickly regretted it when he saw what was in his hand. Not wanting to suffer more than was necessary Sizhui did as he was instructed and removed his upper robes, displaying his back which everyone expected to appear the same as their own. However, his body appeared to be thinner than their own, as if he hadn’t been eating as he should. There was also the account of a burn mark which appeared to run from the back of his shoulder down to his waist. It looked to be years old, only scaring left behind. But the thought of what he would have had to go through to obtain such a scar frightened some.

Crack

The first lash sounded as painful as it was, Sizhui appeared to hunch forward ever so slightly at the pain.

Crack

The second lash hit in the opposite direction of the first, but in the same spot. Pain began to flare throughout Sizhui’s body at the impact. However he refused to show the pain on his face. Lan Qiren gave out more lashings, he appeared to space them out to make the suffering worse, for a man so dedicated to the rules he sure liked making loopholes out of them.

Sizhui throughout them all made them appear as if they were a tiny flick, a slight pain if nothing else. This made Lan Qiren’s anger grow further. After he had dished out over fifteen lashes which was required he still felt unsatisfied. It was then that a student approached the pair, it was one of the older ones who had returned from a night hunt a few days prior.

“Grandmaster Lan,” She had stated as she bowed in respect to the elder. “I believe you have given out the required amount of lashings to the boy, should I take him to the infirmary now?”

“No.” Lan Qiren spat out, Sizhui’s body had begun to shake by this point. The lashes had caused the skin to tear, blood began to trickle down his back and began to stain his robes at his waist.

“He deserves more.” Lan Qiren continued to spit at Sizhui, no one knew why Lan Qiren had such hatred for the boy. That was something that only Lan Qiren knew.

“But Sir-” The elder disciple was silenced when she received a whip to the face, it managed to cut just below her eye. She was lucky the Grandmaster’s fury was so focused on the younger boy, otherwise she might have lost an eye. As the elder disciple stumbled backwards she made her way out of the room to the crowd of disciples, seeing the fear and contemplation across the young woman’s face Jingyi made the decision to go get someone even Lan Qiren couldn’t ignore. While everyone looked confounded at the young Jingyi’s actions, the elder disciple quickly gathered their attention so they could instruct them on how to subdue their crazed teacher. However, before a word had even passed her lips a cry broke out from Sizhui. The woman whipped her head around and saw Lan Qiren had landed another strike on the boy, however this time it had been where the young boy's scaring was. The already damaged skin easily tore and blood began to flow as Sizhui curled in on himself. Lan Qiren continued to give out even more lashes to the boy who continued to wail and cry at the pain, no longer being able to withstand it.

“Lian-Jie!” One of the younger disciples called out as the woman leapt into action, she grabbed hold of the whip and tossed it aside before taking hold of Lan Qiren. The Grandmaster was shocked at the woman’s actions and seethed with rage.

“Zhu Lian! What on earth do you believe you're doing!” Lan Qiren seethed as he went to grab at the whip once more, however before he could do so Zhu Lian grabbed hold of the old man and sent a direct shot of spiritual energy towards his head. Lan Qiren collapsed within a matter of seconds into her arms. After laying the old master down she turned her attention back to Sizhui.

“Lian-Jie, you attacked a teacher!” One of the disciples explained, the woman glared at the disciple.

“So what if I have, would you rather me stand by and let him kill the son of Hanguan-Jun?” This took the students aback, only one person outside of a few select elders was aware of who Sizhui’s actual father was. Carefully lifting Sizhui onto her back Zhu Lian began to take the boy to the infirmary, he would be lucky if he would be able to move for a week after this.

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Jingyi had regretted not acting sooner that day, Sizhui was partially crippled now due to his inactions. Lan Qiren had been confined to his room in order to reflect on his actions, meanwhile Hanguan-Jun was unaware of the incident that had befallen his son as he was away at a conference in Lanling.

“You aren’t pushing him too hard are you Jingyi?” A soft voice questioned from behind the bamboo which surrounded the two boys.

“Lian-Jie!” Jingyi answered with a smile, ever since the incident she had kept a close eye on the pair. Zhu Lian had respect for Jingyi, he was the only one who had run to get help from the Sect leader when everything happened.

“He was the one who wanted to practise Lian-Jie, I told him he should rest but he wouldn’t listen.” Zhu Lian sighed in understanding, both boys sheathed their swords and made their way over to the woman.

“Sizhui, you can’t get better if you don’t rest properly. I don’t think Sect leader Lan would be impressed to know your up and about practising with a sword already, would he?” A light dust of blush appeared over Sizhui’s cheeks in embarrassment.

“No… He wouldn't…” Defeatedly Sizhui sat himself down on a nearby rock whilst the other two continued to speak with one another.

“You know it’s not your fault.” Zhu Lian stated to Jingyi who was looking towards Sizhui with a saddened expression.

“I know, but maybe if I had acted quicker… If I’d gotten help sooner or stopped Grandmaster Lan in the library, maybe-”

“What and have you ended up being whipped as well?” Zhu Lian answered in an angered tone. Jingyi looked towards the woman in shock at her words, maybe she was right. If he’d have gone inside the classroom when he first found the pair would Lan Qiren have dragged him as well?

Sighing at how harsh she had sounded, Zhu Lian placed a hand on the boy's head.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have snapped at you like that. But, you can’t change the past. What’s done is done, I should know.” Zhu Lian pulled at the short length of hair she had, Jingyi had always thought it was odd how her hair was shorter than everyone else's. He was under the impression that most girls cared a lot for their appearance and that cutting it would not only be dishonourable but ruin her appearance. Although the mark beneath her cheek wasn’t doing much for her appearance either, even after all the spiritual energy that had been given to her on top of various medications there was a faint line under her eye.

“Ahhh!” Sizhui screamed, catching the two’s attention, turns out he was a lot more tired than he had let on and tried to fall asleep on his back. He’d somehow magically forgotten the injuries.

“I’m taking you to the Jingshi, you need to rest.” Zhu Lian stated, slightly annoyed at the boy's foolishness. With not much room for argument, Sizhui followed the woman in the direction of the Jingshi. It was supposed to be his fathers bedroom, however the doctors thought it best he rested there instead of his usual room. There was a bedroom which had been constructed only a few years prior, roughly twenty metres away from his fathers room, dubbed as the Chunshi although he hadn’t stayed in the room too often, preferring the company of the disciples in the shared dorms although since being outed as the son of Hanguan-Jun he’d made the quick decision to change locations. Too many prying eyes from the disciples had made Sizhui uneasy at the start of his recovery, hence the move.

Once Sizhui was inside he began to shed his upper robes, even with them tied slightly looser than usual Sizhui still felt discomfort.

“Sizhui,” Zhu Lian stated as she saw the state the young boy's bandages were in. “When was the last time your bandages were changed?” Sizhui awkwardly shrugged his shoulders.

“Whenever the healers changed them last.” Knowing that it had been three days since he’d last seen them, Zhu Lian beckoned him to sit in front of her so she could change them.

Layer after layer was peeled away from Sizhui’s body, some of the bandages had become stained in blood after the wounds had opened after his training. But the wound that caused Zhu Lian the most distress was the deep wound which lay against his scarred skin. It looked to be healing particularly better than the other wounds, Zhu Lian carefully ran her fingers along the surface in an attempt to infuse some spiritual power to increase the healing. But just as she’d let the smallest spiritual power pass her fingers something flickered in Sizhui’s eyes and he began to scream once more. He threw himself away from the woman and began to utter words before passing out.

“Qing jiejie… Why did you do that…”

Chapter Text

“We thank the esteemed Hanguan-Jun for attending this meeting.” A Jin elder bowed in respect to the man as he began to make his way out of the main hall. He’d been away from the Cloud Recesses for over a week now, each meeting he’d been forced to sit through appeared to drag on forever. However, now he was free to leave Lanling and return home. Although he’d have to give his brother a report on what happened at the meeting first, Xichen couldn’t attend on the account of having too many matters to attend to, although Wangji was sure it was because he also wanted him to slowly get accustomed to Sect responsibilities again. After his three year seclusion to heal his wounds he was a slight bit out of touch with the cultivation world.

“Lan Wangji.” The man in question slowly turned to the voice who had called him, he was slightly surprised to realise that the individual in question was the Jiang clan leader, Jiang Cheng.

“Sandu Shengshou.” Lan Wangji greeted with a respectful bow despite the fact that the man had addressed him without his title, Jiang Cheng returned the bow in turn.

“Could I treat second young master Lan to some tea?” Lan Wangji didn’t want to stick around Lanling for longer than necessary, however he knew he had to keep up appearances.

“Of course.” The pair made their way into the bustling streets of Lanling before settling upon a tea shop, the few members of their clans that had accompanied them found seats in the downstairs area while the two made their way upstairs to the more private lounges.

Once ordering some tea between the two of them they began to discuss matters.

“May I ask why you have attended this meeting, Young Master Lan?” Jiang Cheng appeared to have something on his mind, however he had time to dance around his questions.

“My brother had Sect matters to attend to, I came in his stead.” Lan Wangji calmly answered, he knew he could leave the tea house this instant and not bother with Jiang Cheng’s questions. But part of him wanted to know why his soulmate had given up so much for this man.

“What about Grandmaster Lan, I remember he used to attend meetings in the past?” Lan Wangji took a sip of his tea before responding about his annoyance of an Uncle.

“Grandmaster Lan had to oversee lectures at Cloud Recesses, there wasn’t anyone able to take his place.” However, Lan Wangji had wished he had come in his stead, he wouldn’t be stuck answering these blatantly obvious questions. Jiang Cheng nodded in understanding at Lan Wangji’s words, he took a quick sip of his own tea before continuing his questions.

“I hope the disciple’s aren’t causing too much of a problem for you then.” Lan Wangji was able to find a pattern in Jiang Cheng’s questions, but was unable to deduce what he was getting at. He had a concerning interest of the Lan disciples.

“There is nothing to concern yourself with, the Lan disciples are perfectly well behaved.” Lan Wangji berated himself slightly as he said those words, there were a couple of disciples he could think of that didn’t fall under that category.

“Sandu Shengshou, why do you ask these questions?” Lan Wangji quickly grew tired of these questions. He wanted to leave and return to the comforts of his own home.

“Fine, I’ll get to the point.”  Jiang Cheng downed the rest of the contents of his cup before slamming it on the table between them.

“A year ago there was a theft at Lotus Pier.” This caught Lan Wangji slightly off guard. A theft? How did this have anything to do with him?

“It wasn’t anything too valuable, just an old book. However, the book contained instructions of a specific style of cultivation.” Lan Wangji quickly began to piece together what Jiang Cheng had been suggesting.

“The cultivation style never had an official title, it had never been used by many. It was a style that had died off within a generation. My concern is how someone managed to get hold of this book.” Lan Wangji tightened his grip upon his cup slightly, he knew this was turning more into an interrogation than a simple chat over tea.

“If it had resided within Lotus Pier then one has to assume they broke into your library.” Jiang Cheng had a smirk play across his lips at Lan Wangji’s assumption.

“Yes, but this particular book resided in a forbidden part of Lotus Pier. Only accessible via the use of someone within the Jiang family.” Lan Wangji took a slow sip from his tea once more, contemplating his next few words.

“That would mean yourself and Young Master Jin, correct?” Jiang Cheng began to lean over the table slightly at this, he nearly knocked over his own empty cup.

“I never said they had to be alive.” Something must have changed in Lan Wangji’s demeanour as Jiang Cheng backed away with a smile on his face.

“It could be something as small as their blood, possibly a limb of theirs. Or even someone's corpse.” Lan Wangji felt a slight bit of nausea at what the Jiang Sect leader was suggesting.

“You believe the Lan Sect would go as far as to use the corpse of someone from the Jiang family in order to steal an insignificant book?” Lan Wangji seethed at each word, he didn’t easily anger but what Jiang Cheng was suggesting was inhumane.

“Of course not, I couldn’t imagine one of your people using the body of someone from the direct Jiang line. However, you could have used someone else.” Lan Wangji slammed his cup down on the table at what the Jiang Sect leaders suggested.

“How dare you.” Lan Wangji spat out, he used to have some form of respect for this man despite betraying his brother and being one of the reasons for his misfortune Lan Wangji still held some respect for the man on the account of him being a Sect leader and raising the young master Jin on his own.

“How dare I? You were the last person to be seen with him, for all I know you could have hidden his corpse somewhere for your own nefarious reasons. We all know how much you hated him, especially after his conversion to demonic cultivation.” Lan Wangji restrained his urge to run this man through with Bichen, what he was suggesting was something he could never bring himself to do. He would never dishonour his soulmate's body in the way Jiang Cheng was accusing. Lan Wangji got to his feet at this point, he’d listened to enough of the Jiang Sect leaders' accusations.

“I’m not finished!” He exclaimed in anger at Lan Wangji’s sudden attempt to leave, he grasped at Lan Wangji’s robes in an attempt to force him to stay.

“No, you are.” Lan Wangji answered as he forcefully dragged his robes from the Jiang Sect leaders hand, a small part ripped off in his hand but Lan Wangji didn’t care. He wanted out of there.

“What about the rumours about the female Lan cultivator, she wears the garb the same of every other lan cultivator yet wears the headband of the main family. I know you don’t have a sister and Lan Qiren doesn’t have a daughter. On top of all that, her fighting style is unique to what the Lan clan is.” Lan Wangji stalled in his steps slightly at Jiang Cheng’s words, he couldn’t believe he knew so much about her already. But continued walking out nevertheless, it wasn’t Jiang Cheng’s problem to deal with now.

“Good day Sect Leader Jiang.” Lan Wangji swiftly answered before leaving the room and shutting the door behind him, but just as he was halfway down the stairs he was stopped by someone of the Jin clan. He had a letter in hand with his name inscribed on the front, Lan Wangji immediately recognised it as that of his brothers.

Thanking the young servant for bringing it to him, Lan Wangji opened it to read its contents.

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Dear Wangji,

I do hope the conference is going well for you, I regret to inform you that something has happened between Uncle and A-Yuan. Not to fear A-Yuan has been treated by the healers and is expected to make a full recovery, although it will take several weeks. Uncle has been confined to his living quarters till you return and we can make a decision on what is to be done. I look forward to your return,

Xichen

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Once reading the letter over once Lan Wagji immediately screwed it up and tossed it into the nearby bin. He should have left Lanling the first chance he got. After quickly gathering the disciples they began to make their way back to the Cloud Recesses, it would be late into the night when they arrived and they’d have to wait till the next day till they would be allowed inside but Lan Wangji wanted to be back as soon as possible.

Lan Wangji had failed to take notice in the gathering of the disciples that someone had reached into the trash and pulled out the letter his brother had written for him.

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“Wangji, welcome home.” Xichen greeted his brother at the gate in the early morning, all the disciples behind him had looked exhausted; they'd been forced to ride their swords non-stop until they reached Gusu, it was only then that they had been able to rest for a couple hours at a nearby inn. Then Lan Wangji had raised them at the early hours of the day to get them to climb their way to the Cloud Recesses.

“Brother,” Lan Wangji bowed in respect whilst looking behind his brother as if expecting someone.

“If you're looking for him he’s in the Jinshi, but I have to warn you he lashed out at Zhu Lian the other day.” Lan Wangji nodded in understanding at his brother's words.

“Have her meet me at the Jinshi.” Lan Xichen nodded in understanding at his brother before watching the man walk away from the group. It was then that he turned to the exhausted group who looked like they were about to pass out.

“I believe you have all travelled enough to grant you a few days of rest.” He declared to the group, they all looked toward Lan Xichen with near tears in their eyes for his kindness.

“We thank Sect Leader Lan for his kindness.” They all chorused in unison while bowing, it was then that they dispersed to their rooms to rest. Lan Xichen took this opportunity to go find Zhu Lian, he imagined she would probably be helping the younger disciples as she usually did.

· ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

Lan Wangji approached the Jinshi without caution, despite his brother's words. He knew why A-Yuan had relapsed, it had happened years ago when he was small. A-Yuan had only been at Cloud Recesses for a couple days when it had occurred, he could still remember it like it was yesterday.

┏━━━◥◣◆◢◤━━━━┓

“Wangji come quick!” Xichen had come racing into the Gentian House to his brother who had been playing rest, despite being asked to be left alone in his seclusion Xichen had come to visit often. Lan Wangji left his guqin behind as he struggled behind his brother, he was wearing incredibly loose robes which were more suited as nightwear more than anything, he was not dressed to be wandering around Cloud Recesses. Yet the pair made their way to the Jinshi where a small three year old A-Yuan sat curled up in the corner, fear in his eyes and shaking all over. He was dressed in Lan robes, dishevelled, however not of the main family which struck as odd to Wangji as he had made it apparent that he had taken A-Yuan in as his son. Despite not seeing him in the past few days.

“He won’t let anyone near him, he keeps crying for someone called Qing Jijie, as well as his A-Niang. Everytime we try to get close he kicks and screams, we're worried he’s going to worsen his injury.” Wangji nodded his head in understanding, he could see two of the older female disciples cowering by the door to the Jinshi, he’d given the Jinshi to A-Yuan since he’d planned to be staying in the Gentian House for a long while. He intended to build A-Yuan his own room not too far from the Jinshi in the future, although that was a far off plan in the future. The two women looked shocked to see the second young master for one out of his seclusion so soon and secondly to be dressed informally.

Lan Wangji ignored their stares and made his way to his son.

“A-Yuan,” He gently called, this caught the young boy's attention. Tears began to swell in his eyes now, it was then that he came away from the corner and ran to hug Lan Wangji. The elder had sat himself down so the young boy could be hugged so easily. The sight caught the two disciples off guard, they hadn’t expected Lan Wangji to be so relaxed with the boy. After all he’d been reluctant to allow anyone to touch him, even when he was being treated for the burns.

“A-Die…” The boy cried out as he hugged Lan Wangji tighter, the man in question didn’t even flinch at the name. He just continued to hug him and give his son the comfort he needed. Meanwhile the two female disciples' jaws dropped, they didn’t realise that the second young master already had an heir at the age of 21. Xichen looked to the two disciples with a look as if to keep quiet about this new information, the two girls swallowed and nodded their heads in understanding.

“A-Die, where is A-Niang?” Lan Wangji stroked the boy's hair in an attempt to calm him down.

“A-Niang is asleep, if you behave for your Uncle I promise to take you to visit later.” A-Yuan perked up at that and nodded his head in agreement.

“A-Yuan promises to behave, A-Yuan was just scared…” The young boy lowered his head in shame of being scared, his father carefully cupped his cheek and brought his face to meet his own.

“There is nothing wrong with being scared, A-Die gets scared sometimes too.” A-Yuan looked up at Lan Wangji in disbelief.

“Really?” His father nodded in agreement to his son's words.

“Even A-Niang would too,” A-Yuan seemed to grow happier at his fathers words, however Xichen began to grow confused. Who was this A-Niang they both referred to, he knew his brother was only close to one person in the past and that way Wei Wuxian, but he was a man. The person they were referring to was a woman, right? “Although, he would never admit it.” Lan Wangji finished, those few words made everything fall into place now. And it made it all the more heartbreaking, A-Yuan’s mother had been Wei Wuxian himself. It had all made sense, A-Yuan was an orphan due to the war it would make sense that while taking care of the Wen’s he’d developed a close bond with them. Even taking in a child.

“So, A-Yuan. Why were you scared?” Lan Wangji questioned his son, readjusting him slightly so he could sit more comfortably on his lap.

“The pretty ladies were helping A-Yuan get dressed, but then these pictures came rushing through A-Yuan’s head like whoosh.” The boy raised his arms for emphasis at his explanation, “Then A-Yuan saw Qing Jiejie, but he couldn’t hear Qing Jiejie.” The little boy looked so confused at his own memory.

“But she was holding A-Yuan very closely, then she tied something around A-Yuan.” Lan Wangji carefully listened to each word his son spoke, he knew this wasn’t something that A-Yuan had made up. This was the day of the siege of the burial mound.

“Then Qing Jiejie hugged A-Yuan, it was nice but Qing Jiejie was crying. Then Ning Gege took hold of A-Yuan and then…” The boy appeared to trail off his words, Lan Wangji assumed that was when the fever must have begun to affect him.

┗━━━◢◤◆◥◣━━━━┛

“A-Yuan?” Lan Wangji called as he entered the Jinshi, he felt a wave of deja vu hit him as he repeated the actions of so long ago.

“A-Die?” The quiet voice of Sizhui called, he began to get up from the bed but his father raised a hand to say it wasn’t necessary. When Sizhui had attempted to get up the covers surrounding his body fell, making the bandages open to Lan Wangji’s vision.

“Are you in pain?” That was the first question he’d asked, the most important one, Sizhui rested his head on his arms while he talked with his father.

“A little, but I’m used to it now.” He adjusted how he was sitting a little while giving a small smile to his father.

“Do you want to tell me what happened?” Lan Wangji questioned, Sizhui shook his head slightly.

“Un- Zewu-Jun can tell you if you’d like, I don’t want to go over it.” Lan Wangji worried at the fact Sizhui was referring to his brother with such a formal title. On top of the injuries, he knew his Uncle hadn’t been fond of his son since the beginning. Even when Sizhui had a severe fever when he had first arrived at the Cloud Recesses it had been his brother that had to instruct the healers to give his son the medicine, according to the healers Lan Qiren had forbade them from giving him any.

“A-Die, do you think A-Niang would be proud of me?” This caught the elder off guard, Sizhui rarely asked after Wei Wuxian. Even when he did it was usually questions on how he acted when he was his age.

“Of course, why would you believe he would not?” Lan Wangji carefully sat himself beside Sizhui’s bed at this point, he extended a hand to hold Sizhui’s in his own as a way of comfort.

“Because I can’t wield a sword as well as you could at my age, because my grades have slipped since I’ve spent more time with Zewu-Jun. Because it’s my fault Grandmaster Lan is being punished, it’s because I made him too angry.” Tears began to flow from Young Sizhui’s eyes, he’d felt so at fault throughout this whole ordeal. With nothing but training to distract him, and he couldn’t train for long periods of time so while resting his mind had a chance to think everything over. Lan Wangji couldn’t bear to see his son in this way, he rose to his feet and began to make his way out of the Jinshi.

“A-Die, where are you going?” Sizhui’s questioned, rising from the bed once more.

“Just to go see brother. Rest now, when you are better I will teach you sword techniques.” Sizhui’s eyes lit up at the prospect of getting guidance from his father, his father had never opted to help much in the past on the account he was worried that the other disciples would think he was favouring Sizhui over the others. As well as the fact that Sizhui was his adopted son had been kept under wraps, the elders of the Lan clan had deemed this the safer option. 

“Really! You will tutor me?” Lan Wangji nodded while a slight smile graced his lips, Sizhui then followed as his father stated, he turned to face the wall to return to sleep once more. The pain was manageable enough to sleep on his side now, Sizhui had grown tired of the pain every time he got out of bed after sleeping on his stomach. Seeing the boy was asleep, Lan Wangji began his search for his brother. But was swiftly greeted by Zhu Lian at the door to the Jinshi.

“Lan Wangji.” She quickly bowed in greeting to the man, he returned the greeting in kind.

“Are you aware of what occurred to Lan Sizhui?” The woman nodded in agreement before starting her explanation.

“I was the one who stopped Grandmaster Lan, if I hadn’t, I dread to imagine what condition Young Master Sizhui would be in.” Lan Wangji nodded in understanding of her words, he was grateful for the actions she had done for his son. Although he knows she was probably trying to repay her debt to him, even though he’d made it clear no such debt existed.

“How severe are his wounds?” He dreaded to ask this question, he just hoped they weren’t as bad as the ones he’d received eleven years ago. He was sure he could still feel phantoms of pain at times.

“Multiple lacerations across his back, they were quite deep as well. Alongside a multitude to his right side, that was the point in which he had broken.” Those words surprised Lan Wangji, how could Sizhui be broken?

“Broken?” He questioned while carefully guiding them both away from the Jinshi and towards the Hanshi where he knew his brother would be.

“Well, Young Master Lan was resilient and didn’t let any of the pain show for most of the lacerations. But, after Young Jingyi fled to locate Sect Leader Lan the Grandmaster began to strike at Young Master Lan’s scarred skin, that was when he let loose a cry.” Lan Wangji tightened his fist at the sound of that, how could his Uncle be so cruel and unyielding to bring a boy who wasn’t even fourteen yet to such a state.

“This one thanks you for your assistance.” Lan Wangji bowed lower this time in respect to Zhu Lian, the girl began to panic at having such an influential person bowing to her in this manner.

“Your excellence, Hanguan-Jun, please don’t bow to this lowly one.” Zhu Lian basically dropped to her knees in an attempt to stop Lan Wangji.

“I only did as anyone else would have.” Lan Wangji rose from his bow, but shook his head at the woman's words.

“No, you acted. Others did not.” Zhu Lian struggled to find her words to begin with before stuttering out an answer.

“But Hanguan-Jun…” Lan Wangji raised a hand to stop the woman’s words once more, she still felt she was indebted to this man. After all, if it wasn’t for him she would be another corpse amongst the ones that were left behind that night at Nightless city.

Chapter Text

“Clan Leader Ouyang, what can I do for you today?” Jiang Cheng stated with a smile plastered along his face, he didn’t exactly have the time to deal with small clan’s such as the Bailing Ouyang Clan. Yet here he stood blocking the man who had attempted to interfere with the Jiang disciples' training exercises.

“You can give me my son back, Sect Leader Jiang.” The man seethed with anger, Jiang Cheng had little clue to what the crazed man was blathering on about. The last he’d seen of the young Ouyang heir was the other week when the boy had been hanging around his nephew.

“I regret to inform Clan Leader Ouyang that I have not seen the Young Master Ouyang.” Jiang Cheng gave a slight bow in hopes that the respect would get the man to leave quicker, however this failed to be true.

“I know he’s here, he’s always running around with that golden brat.” The clan leader had nicked a slightly sensitive nerve with that comment, the Jiang disciples had heard the entire conversation and knew it smart to begin to back away from their sect leader.

“I advise Clan Leader Ouyang to pick his words more carefully next time, now I must respectfully ask you to leave before I have to take matters further.” The clan leader seethed at Jiang Cheng’s words, he was sure his son was here. He had been informed by one of the older disciples that he was going to visit his friend, however Zizhen only had one close friend who happened to reside in Lotus Pier most of the time.

“Zizhen! I know you're in there! Come home this instant!” Even after shouting not a soul appeared to join the two leaders on the training grounds, if Zizhen was within the premises he had no wish to see his father.

“Clan Leader Ouyang, if I see you within the boundaries of Lotus Pier without invitation again I will resort to alternative methods. I have more pressing matters to attend to now, so I must bid you a good day.” Jiang Cheng gave a final bow to the Clan Leader before departing the training ground, when he passed by the disciples they quickly fled and returned to their practise.

As Jiang Cheng was about to return to his study he decided against it and instead began to make his way over to his nephew’s bedroom, he was to head to Lanling to continue his studies in order to become the new Sect Leader when he became eighteen. He’d been instructed to have these study trips since his thirteenth birthday the other month.

As Jiang Cheng reached Rulan’s bedroom he was about to knock when he heard voices from inside, deciding he didn’t need to knock on the door anymore he slammed the door aside and saw as Jin Rulan sat on the windowsill playing with the ribbon in his hair while a cultivation manual sat on his lap while the young Ouyang Zizhen sat on his bed with the same manual closed to his side.

“Uncle!” Jin Rulan exclaimed in shock to see his Uncle suddenly enter his room.

“Sect Leader Jiang!” Zizhen bowed in respect to the man as soon as he entered, when Jiang Cheng realised what had happened he couldn’t help but let a small laugh escape his lips. The two children looked between each other in confusion, it was only when Jiang Cheng had calmed down and perched himself on a seat at the nearby table which was within Jin Rulan’s room did he begin to explain.

“Ouyang Zizhen, did you tell your father you would be here today?” The boy seemed to freeze at the question, for one he wasn’t used to the Jiang Sect leader talking to him, he wasn’t too sure the man liked him in the first place. Secondly, he’d only informed one of the older disciples back home where he was going.

“I told Li-Gege.” Jiang Cheng nodded his head in understanding, he could remember when he was young and wanted to go off exploring with his brother he’d only inform one of the elder disciples before disappearing.

“Your father is here looking for you, did you know he interrupted all the Jiang disciples whilst they were training?” Zizhen’s face paled at this information. He didn’t think his father would go this far in order to bring him home, he’d just wanted to visit his friend before he was whisked away to Lanling for who knows how long.

“Apologises Sect Leader Jiang, I’ll go with my father. I’m sorry for causing so much trouble.” Zizhen bowed to Jiang Cheng once more, he really did fear the man. Jiang Cheng waved a hand in dismissal at his actions.

“No need, I see you are keeping A-Rulan company. And you're both studying cultivation techniques, you have no reason to leave.” Zizhen looked shocked at the Sect Leader’s words, while Jin Rulan had a smirk across his face.

“You don’t need to worry about your father, the disciples will take care of him.” Zizhen was confused at his close friend's words, however when he heard the scream of a man who soundly closely similar to his fathers he began to understand. Jin Rulan leapt out of his window that second and easily climbed onto the roof, a few seconds went by until his head reappeared upside down in the window.

“Uncle, I think one of the younger disciples hit a bullseye.” Confused by Jin Rulan’s words Zizhen followed the boy to the roof, it was then the pair peered over the roof, they were unable to be seen by those on the ground due to the angle of the roof.

“You arrogant brats!” The Ouyang Clan Leader hollered as he pulled an arrow from his shoulder, it was only a practice arrow so it only pierced through his clothes. No actual damage to the man himself, aside from his pride. It was then that Jiang Cheng himself appeared amongst the disciples wearing a scowl across his face.

“Oh no, is that young shidi going to be punished?” Zizhen panicked as he turned to Rulan, the boy simply shook his head with a smile on his face.

“Watch Uncle, you’ll see.” Jiang Cheng seemed to stride all his way over to the Ouyang Clan leader, he took the practice arrow from the man and held it in the air so all the disciples could see.

“Who shot this arrow!” He hollered, all the younger disciples began to cover in fear until they pointed to a boy in the crowd. He looked to be quite meek, the boy reminded Jiang Cheng of someone he knew years ago. He’d been afraid to show his archery skills back then too.

“Is this yours?” He stood before the boy now, presenting the arrow back to him. The boy meekly nodded, he scrunched up his eyes expecting to receive some form of punishment. However, when he received a pat on the head he quickly opened his eyes in wonder.

“Nice shot, although if you were trying to cause more damage aim a little to the left.” The disciple took the arrow from the Sect Leader’s hand smiling, he quickly nodded in agreement before turning to his fellow disciples who began to crowd round him in awe at the fact he’d gotten recognition from the Sect Leader.

“Heh, you're just as bad as I thought.” Clan leader Ouyang spat as soon as he’d spectated the whole ordeal between the Sect Leader and disciple.

“You condone violence onto others, for all we know you could be the next Wen dogs.” Small purple sparks began to flicker from Jiang Cheng’s fist, Zidian was beginning to react to the anger that lay beneath the calm surface that was Jiang Cheng’s face. Jiang Cheng had never really been a man to allow his emotions to be left beneath the surface, unseen. But throughout the years of being a Sect Leader and reflecting on the foolish actions of his youth Jiang Cheng had become more level headed, it was no wonder Jin Rulan had been able to grow up as an upstanding young master. The disciples took notice of their Sect Leaders' anger and began to back up once more, they could never be too safe after all.

“You are exactly the same as that bastard of a dog Wei Wuxian was!” There wasn't a second for anyone to intervene in the next actions, Zidian had appeared almost instantly and wrapped itself tightly around the Ouyang Clan Leader. The man didn’t even struggle to try to escape the binds, although he wouldn’t have been able to if he wanted to. Zidian had shocked all his nerves into submission.

“Jiang Wanyin! What right do you have to treat me in this manner!” The man screamed from his position on the ground, he should have been more careful with his words with the position he had put himself in.

“When you insult my brother you insult the Jiang family itself.” Jiang Cheng began to stalk over, step by step he tightened Zidian around the man making the pain nearly unbearable as he took his final steps towards the man.

“Unlike you and the rest of the foolish world, we , the people of Lotus Pier, will not spit on the name of Wei Wuxian.” The Clan Leader looked up at Jiang Cheng in fear at this point, the man that was Jiang Cheng looked to hold no compassion towards the man in this instant. Clan Leader Ouyang had really dug his grave right there and then.

“I think it’s best if we leave now.” Jin Rulan stated to Zizhen as he tried to pull him back the way they had arrived on the roof, the boy raised an eyebrow in questioning at the saddened expression across his friends face but followed nonetheless.

Once inside once more Zizhen placed a hand atop of Jin Rulan’s shoulder.

“Rulan, what’s wrong?” He began to question but the boy just brushed his arm aside.

“Nothing, shall we go practice swords now?” He turned to go grab his sword Suihua at this point, he’d left it on the small table his Uncle had been sitting at earlier. The sword was never far from him.

Knowing that whatever was on Jin Rulan’s mind would only eat away at him Zizhen stopped the boy from grabbing his sword, he instead grabbed ahold of his shoulders to try and shake some sense into him.

“Jin Rulan!” This shocked the poor boy, he was never treated this forcefully. Even by his Uncle.

“What did your Uncle mean by ‘insult my brother’? Wei Wuxian was never adopted into the Jiang family, he defected. He even studied demonic cultivation for god sake! So why does your Uncle treat him with such respect!” Zizhen hadn’t even realised it but he’d begun shouting part way through, constantly shaking Jin Rulan throughout the process. The boy looked away saddened momentarily before he pulled himself from Zizhen’s grasp.

“Follow me.” Those were the only words Jin Rulan uttered as he attached Suihua to his waist before making his way out of his room and towards Jiang Cheng’s office, still barren of people. The servants of Lotus Pier must have come to spectate the incident that was occurring on the training grounds.

“Rulan, are we supposed to be here?” Zizhen almost whispered to the boy as they both snuck through the room. Jin Rulan closed the door behind Zizhen, blanketing the room in darkness.

“Rulan! Where are you?” The boy began to panic as he grasped around in the darkness in an attempt to get hold of his friend. It was then that Jin Rulan used a talisman, which created a small ball of light which was slightly above the palm of his hand.

“Wow, how did you do that?” Zizhen looked amazed at the simple ball of light, at home he had to rely on candle light or a lantern if he wanted to see in the darkness.

“A talisman, it was invented by my Uncle.” He raised the ball slightly higher so the pair of them could see better into the room.

“Sect Leader Jiang must be very talented to create his own unique talismans.” Yizhen admired as he looked around the room in hope of seeing other such creations.

“Not my Uncle Wanyin.” Jin Rulan continued to wander around the room, Zizhen kept close to the source of light not wanting to be doused in darkness again. Even though he hoped to be a great cultivator the boy couldn’t get over his fear of being alone in the dark. Jin Rulan stopped before the portrait of the three individuals, he admired his mother like he always did whenever he saw images of her. Despite losing both his parents, Rulan always liked to wonder what life would have been like if they had both survived. He always thought he’d be closer with his mother, he wasn’t sure what it was in the images of her that had given that impression. Maybe it was her soft tender smile, it seemed to follow in whatever portrait of her he had found.

“Is that Lady Jin?” Zizhen asked as he analysed the photo that Rulan had been admiring for so long. Jin Rulan nodded softly, he was proud that this was his mother. Even if he had never met the woman.

“No wonder you're as pretty as you are.” This took Jin Rulan aback, he considered himself good looking. But pretty? And a guy of all people had said it to him, Rulan wasn’t sure how he was supposed to take that. Although this was Zizhen talking, he never did think his words through.

“That must be Sect Leader Jiang, he looks a lot younger here.” Jin Rulan nodded once more, this portrait had been painted over fifteen years ago. His Uncle had been a completely different person back then, or so he had said.

“Who’s the other boy dressed in purple?” Yizhen questioned finally, he never did understand not asking private questions to individuals.

“That would be my Uncle, Wei Wuxian.” Yizhen’s jaw dropped hearing that sentence, Jin Rulan considered this man his Uncle despite all the things he had done to his family.

“But Rulan, he killed both of your parents!” Yizhen exclaimed, Jin Rulan began to laugh at this point. He really couldn’t hold back at how comedic he found this moment.

“Wha- Why are you laughing! This is serious!” Jin Rulan wiped away an invisible tear as he turned to his close friend.

“Who told you my Uncle killed my father and my mother?” Zizhen seemed to think his words over quickly before responding.

“It’s in all the history books, on the Qiongqi road he murdered the father in cold blood. He put a hole through his chest. Jin Rulan raised a hand at that statement.

“Then the history books you read were wrong, yes my father died by a hole being torn through his chest. But did you know it was the Ghost General who did that, not Wei Wuxian himself.” Zizhen scrambled for words before drawing an answer.

“But he controlled the Ghost General, so even if it wasn’t he himself who did it he directly caused it.” Jin Rulan shook his head again at his friend's words, he was beginning to realise what his Uncle had been referring to when he’d stated the history books were filled with lies.

“Wei Wuxian wasn’t playing his flute when my father died, therefore it wasn’t him.” Seeing there was no room for argument Zizhen gave up on his argument, he couldn’t believe his best friend was defending a murderer.

“How about your mother, she was pierced through the heart with a sword. Multiple times may I add.” Jin Rulan shook his head again at his friend's false information.

“You’ve seen the sword in our ancestral hall haven’t you?” Zizhen nodded in agreement, he’d seen the abandoned sword countless times. He’d believed it was a shame to be left abandoned there, never to be used again.

“That is Suiban, Wei Wuxian’s sword.” Zizhen was appalled to say the least, the sword used to murder one of the Jiang’s was on display in their own home!?

“Do you want to know how many years since that sword left its sheath?” Zizhen wasn’t sure he wanted to know how often that cursed blade had been used to cause death and destruction, but he slowly nodded his head.

“Fourteen years ago.” Zizhen thought the number over again, that couldn’t have been possible. Jin Rulan had been born thirteen years ago and his mother died only months after.

“That’s not possible…”

“So how can a sword that’s not left its scabbard in fourteen years pierce the heart of someone who died thirteen years ago?” Zizhen knew that the calculation was impossible, but there wasn’t only one sword in existence.

“He used a different sword then!” Jin Rulan sat in silence at his friend's foolishness, he really had been tricked to believe all these foolish lies.

“Zizhen, did you forget that my Uncle witnessed those events that day. Wei Wuxian never carried a sword to that battle, nor did he wield a sword throughout the fight. My mother had pushed Wei Wuxian aside and was pierced by the sword of two other cultivators. Do you want to know what’s the worst part of it?” Jin Rulan began to have beads of tears falling down his face by this point, he hated knowing who had killed his mother. Especially what Clan they had belonged to.

“Rulan, it’s not…” Jin Rulan let the small light float on its own as he turned to his friend, he grasped at his chest, just beneath the surface of his skin lay his heart.

“The cultivators belonged to the Jin clan! The people who I’m supposed to lead were the ones who killed the only parental figure I had left! All because they couldn't wait and listen to what my Uncle had to say!” Jin Rulan’s grip had grown tighter against his chest, the purple robes he wore were now creased. It all began to make sense to the young Yizhen. He had used to wonder why the boy had gone from wearing the golden robes of the Jin clan to always wearing the purple ones of the Jiang’s, he knew he was part Jiang so it wasn’t too out of place. But…

Without a word of warning Zizhen took hold of Rulan and hugged him in hope that it would give the boy some form of comfort. He felt like he’d betrayed his friend believing the lies the world had fed him, he should have read the history books again. He should have looked at more than one source for his information, he shouldn’t have believed his hothead of a father about something like these events.

“I’m sorry Rulan, if you’d like I could ask my father so I can accompany you to Lanling. At least then you won’t be alone, after all I can’t let you suffocate under all those arrogant rich bastards.” Rulan let loose a small laugh at that, he’d appreciate having his close friend by his side.

“But what about your own training to inherit the Bailing Ouyang Clan?” Zizhen waved a dismissive hand at the prospect.

“One of my cousins can have it, I’m not exactly the leader type. Besides, getting to hang out with you in Lanling sounds much more appealing. And hey who knows, when you become Sect leader I can become your right hand man, each Sect Leader has one.” Rulan nodded his head in agreement, he knew his Uncle had a head disciple who worked as his right hand person, although it was a woman. He’d stated he wouldn’t have a man as his right hand man, but never explained as to why.

“Oh, there is one more thing I wanted to show you in here.” Jin Rulan confessed as he took hold of the small hovering light once more. He directed it over the floor panels until he found the only one with a knot in it. He repeated the actions his Uncle had all those years ago. Pulling forth the intricate carved box once more, it had gathered dust once more so Jin Rulan had to clean it down once more. Zizhen looked on in wonder at the piece, however he panicked slightly when he watched as Jin Rulan sliced his thumb along the blade of Suihua. He then allowed the blood to drop atop the lotus flower and watched as the box glowed with a red hum once more.

“It can only be opened by the blood of the Jiang family, my Uncle showed me once years ago.” Zizhen nodded in understanding as he waited in awe of what hid within the confines of the box. However, what he hadn’t expected was a bunch of dusty books alongside what looked to be a bamboo flute; it had a bunch of teeth marks along the small charm on the end. It was as if a toddler had been nibbling on it.

“It’s just some dusty old books.” Zizhen confidently deduced, Jin Rulan looked at him with an unimpressed expression.

“They are my Uncle’s old notebooks, it’s how I learned to create that talisman.” Zizhen quickly changed his tune at this point, these were the notes of a genius.

“Ooo, can I see?” Zizhen tried to reach into the box, however Jin Rulan swatted his hand away and slammed the box shut before he could even get close.

“No! I’m only allowed to use the books when my Uncle permits me, they are very old and very important to him.” Zizhen took a mental note not to insult the Jiang Sect leader in front of Rulan, he appeared very protective of the man.

“Then why are you showing me this?” Zizhen questioned aloud, Jin Rulan sided as he began to return the box to its hiding place.

“I just wanted to show it to you, the locking mechanism is another invention of my Uncle’s.” Zizhen began to question the mind behind Wei Wuxian, to be able to create all these inventions years ago.

“If he made all these things and you have the notes as to how they work, why don’t you share them with anyone else?” Jin Rulan sighed at the notion of Zizhen’s question, it was a question he’d asked his Uncle in the past. And he had agreed wholeheartedly with him as to why these secrets hadn’t been shared.

“They don’t deserve them, they drove the man to his death. Why should they get the fruits of his labour? No, they will stay within the Jiang Sect where they belong.” Zizhen nodded his head to his friend's words. With that, the two decided it would be best to leave the study before someone found them inside.

Unbeknownst to the pair an individual had been hidden amongst the darkness of the office, listening to the two boys' conversation. As well as learning the trick to unlock the sealed box.

Chapter Text

“A-Yuan, it’s time.” Lan Xichen states to his nephew who was dressed in the formal robes of the inner Lan family. It had been two years since the incident between Lan Qiren and the young boy, but now Sizhui was 16 and was ready to announce himself officially as the heir to the Lan Clan.

Throughout the past two years Lan Xichen had been teaching the boy the inner workings of the Lan Sect; he had given the boy ample opportunities to back out if he deemed the responsibility too much of a struggle for himself. But Sizhui had inherited his father’s stubbornness and had diligently carried out each task he’d been assigned.

“Yes, Uncle.” Sizhui raised from the seat he'd been sitting at for the past hour, staring at his reflection. He knew he had to ensure every movement, every action, every word he spoke was perfect. He couldn’t allow a single mistake to occur.

As Sizhui attempted to take a step however he immediately began to fall, he hadn’t even realised his legs had fallen asleep while he’d been distracted. Lan Xichen quickly made his way over to the boy to prevent his fall.

“You really are like your father, you know.” Lan Xichen stated with a laugh ringing out.

“He would sit for hours on end reading in the library, yet the minute we had to go elsewhere he’d forget his legs had fallen asleep and would do just as you have.” Sizhui felt a little more relaxed hearing his Uncle’s story about his father, it was a relief when he heard small stories like these. It reminded him that his father wasn’t this all perfect individual everyone saw him as, he was merely human just as he was.

“Before we go to the ceremony there is someone who’d like to see you.” Lan Xichen softly spoke as he helped Sizhui regain his footing. Sizhui raised an eyebrow in questioning, it wasn’t Jingyi, he’d come to visit him earlier on the account he was making sure Sizhui wasn’t making a fool of himself. Sizhui knew he was actually just concerned for him, afterall he’d always lived a quiet life up until the incident two years ago. Sizhui never really did adjust to the change in attention.

Just as Sizhui began to ponder if it was his father with any last minute words to say to him, the man in question entered alongside someone else. However, the individual that Lan Wangji walked in with was someone Sizhui was sure he’d never see like he was now.

He stood tall, no longer needing the support of another. Dressed in pristine white Lan robes, not of the inner family, not yet at least. His raven black hair was tied up in a high ponytail, although not as long as it once had been, the front of his face was covered with strands of his hair, although they looked to have been meticulously styled it still remained slightly untidy. His hands turned smooth from the years of inactivity, from the reliance of others.

“A-Niang?” Sizhui began to cry, he believed he was dreaming. He had to have been, his A-Niang was a shell of his former self. Broken down by the insistent spirits that had plagued his mind for years, the only parts of himself that had remained were small fragments. Snapshots of memories even, the familiar strum of guqin, a softly spoken word, a deeply cared for meal. That was all that had remained of the man for thirteen years. But now he stood before his son, a soft smile across his face like Sizhui had remembered in the fragments of memories he himself had. The loving smile of his A-Niang.

Before anyone could stop the boy he went racing to the man, crashing into his chest whilst trapping him in an inescapable embrace. He couldn’t let go, he feared if he let go he would disappear. That all this was just him dreaming of something he had always wished to happen.

“A-yuan~” The voice called softly to the boy, Sizhui slowly raised his head and was met with the kind eyes of him. His A-Niang, Wei Wuxian, Wei Ying.

“I’m back.” The smile that graced his lips was a warm and kind one, one he was sure he wouldn’t lose again. Sizhui tightened the embrace he had on his A-Niang once more.

“Welcome home, A-Niang.” Those words appeared to catch Wei Wuxian off guard, he was home. He had a family, a son who cared for him and…

He wasn’t exactly sure who the others were but he was sure he’d figure out soon enough.

“Sizhui, if we don’t leave soon we will be late for the ceremony.” Lan Xichen advised, as much as he loved to see his nephew so happy, he didn't want the boy's reputation tarnished before he had even been declared as the next heir. Reluctantly Sizhui detached himself from Wei Wuxian and managed to get to his feet, he briefly brushed down his robes to try and remove a couple creases which had been formed from the embrace. After bowing to both his parents Sizhui made to leave when he recalled something.

“A-Niang, A-Die, will you both be attending the ceremony?” This confused Wei Wuxian, although his memories were still a jumble he couldn’t recall anyone being called A-Die when they had lived in the burial mounds.

“We will arrive shortly, hurry and don’t be late.” Lan Zhan answered with a soft smile upon his lips, that was when Wei Wuxian remembered there was another individual who had escorted him, Hanguan-Jun he believed his title to be. Wei Wuxian had to admit the man looked beautiful, he’d even wager he looked better than the other man in the room, he was sure the two were brothers given their similarities. But why had A-Yuan called him A-Die? Was this someone important he had forgotten!?

While Wei Wuxian was having his memory crisis Sizhui smiled and quickly increased his walking pace to catch up with his Uncle who’d already begun to make his way to the ceremony.

It wasn’t until a couple minutes later that Wei Wuxian realised he had been left alone with the mystery man once more. Upon the realisation Wei Wuxian scrambled to his feet and began to adjust his clothing to look more appropriate. This Hanguan-Jun was probably a prominent figure and appearing or acting in this manner in front of the man was probably disrespectful.

“This one thanks Hanguan-Jun for escorting this lowly one here.” Wei Wuxian proceeded to bow to the man, his nerves had been shot causing him to shake ever so lightly. Wei Wuxian didn’t notice on the account of his bow but Lan Wangji had frozen slightly at the sound of Wei Wuxian using his title. It brought back a bad memory of which he had wished to forget.

┏━━━◥◣◆◢◤━━━━┓

The cave they had taken shelter in was a complicated one, with various twists and turns throughout it. It would take the Lan Clan elder’s a decent amount of time to find them. Lan Wangji had managed to get Wei Wuxian to sit somewhat upright on a rock formation, he was carefully nursing spiritual energy through Wei Wuxian’s wrist in an attempt to help him recover some strength. Although the man appeared to be rejecting the spiritual energy for some unknown reason. As if his body couldn’t bear to contain the energy.

“Get lost!” Those were the only words which left the man’s mouth, Lan Wangji began to feel dejected after hearing the words repeatedly thrown at him, however one look into his soulmate's eyes confirmed something for him. It wasn’t Wei Wuxian who was saying it.

His eyes had a scarlet haze covering the soft silver hue they typically were, Wei Wuxian was too exhausted to be in control of his own mind. It was as if the spirits were fighting over the man, Lan Wangji wished he was able to help the man. But his strength lay in spiritual energy and not the spirits which plagued his mind. He’d thought playing rest may have an effect but the single pluck of a string had driven the man to slamming his head against the cave wall.

Deciding it best to attend to the other ailing person Lan Wangji turned to the woman laying along the ground, her robes had already been dyed a scarlet red by her own blood but the injuries had avoided her vital points by ever so slightly. She would have unmissable scars later but surviving with scars was better than not surviving at all. However, despite the medical care Lan Wangji had given the woman still appeared to be dying. Lan Wangji regretted not taking care to read more medical texts in the past.

“Get lost!” Lan Wangji could still hear Wei Wuxian’s irritated voice from behind him, knowing he would be even more distraught with an additional death on his hands Lan Wangji contemplated his options. Wei Wuxian was in no state to assist him and his medical knowledge was probably worse than Lan Wangji’s, taking the woman to a doctor was out of the question as well, for one they were too far hidden in a forest and getting a doctor here would be incredibly difficult. Even if Lan Wangji was to bring the doctor here by using Bichen all his spiritual energy was being spent in an attempt to restrain the rogue spirits, although he couldn’t use the spiritual energy on Wei Wuxian himself he could use it on the spirits. 

Knowing he had one option he could attempt, although the odds of it working were slim Lan Wangji pulled his guqin Wangji from his qiankun pouch and began to play inquiry. He had travelled a fair distance from Nightless city so the odds of the musical score working were slim. But still he diligently played.

“Please… Wen Qing…” Lan Wangji was greeted by only the sound of the heavy breathing of the woman and the strum of the strings. As Lan Wangji played his way to the final few notes he began to lose hope, he wouldn’t be able to save the woman after all.

Then a single reply came. 

Here

With his hopes quickly restored Lan Wangji quickly began to strum notes in a question as to who the spirit was, he quickly deduced it was Wen Qing indeed. But just as he was part way through strumming a question as to how to help the woman beside him he watched as Wen Qing appeared before him. She was translucent, a green jade tone cast through her body. Her clothes appeared burned along the edges, it made sense on the account of her death, her hands looked to be covered in burn marks as well. It was a good thing she was a spirit, if she had been alive still she never would have been able to perform her duties as a doctor.

“Lady Wen?” Lan Wangji questioned the apparition, the woman slowly raised her head. She looked stunned at being able to hear an individual's voice.

“L..an Wan..gji…” Her voice sounded broken, raspy even. The flames must have burnt through her vocal chords before her death causing her spirit to have the same aliment.

“Lady Wen, how can I help her?” Lan Wangji spared not a moment, he knew each second counted for this woman’s life.

The next few minutes were spent by Wen Qing’s raspy voice giving direct instructions to Lan Wangji who perfectly replicated the instructions. Granted they had little to work with but Wen Qing wasn’t known for her medical talents for no reason. In the end Lan Wangji had managed to get the woman into a somewhat stable condition, but without actual medical care by a living doctor she would soon join Wen Qing.

“Thank you Lady Wen,” Lan Wangji wiped his brow as he relaxed against a wall, he had blood covering his hands at this point. His once white and pale blue robes now stained by dirt or blood, his own or others. “May I ask, how is it that I can see you?” Lan Wangji had initially been curious about the woman’s sudden appearance, but granted the situation made the question less of a priority.

“I’m unsure.” Wen Qing’s voice still remained raspy and burnt as she spoke, there was no way to fix her vocal chords at this point. “I think it has something to do with A-Xian’s resentment, it’s as if it’s imbuing itself into my very spirit.” Lan Wangji nodded his head in understanding, the woman did appear a tad less transparent then she had initially appeared. Without even realising it Lan Wangji had nodded off to sleep, with the battle at Nightless City on top of rescuing both of the individuals then pouring spiritual energy into Wei Wuxian as well as summoning and nursing the woman to somewhat stable health Lan Wangji’s energy was spent.

It wasn’t until the sudden cry of Wei Wuxian in the late hours of the next day that Lan Wangji awoke. Wen Qing’s spirit looked to have settled herself beside her new patient and was startled by the sudden cry herself. Wei Wuxian was only settled on the opposite end of the small cavern they were situated in, he didn’t look to have been injured by anything within the cave, although he looked to have cut his hair to a significantly short length he presumed he had a blade of sorts on his person or just pulled the strands out. Lan Wangji hoped it was the former. But he began to roll around on the ground, his hands clamped around his head.

“Get lost! Get lost! GET LOST!” He continued to repeat the words over and over again, he looked to be at the peak of the war within himself. A war he was apparently losing..

“Wei Ying!” Lan Wangji yelled as he made his way beside the man, he attempted to lay a hand on the man. However, Wei Wuxian let a strong wave of resentful energy attack him. The wave began to condense around Lan Wangji’s core in an attempt to try and corrupt his spiritual energy, Lan Wangji fought every urge in his body which told him to flee. To run and avoid this crawling pain. But he wouldn’t, he forced himself to make his way closer to Wei Wuxian, he wouldn’t touch the man, he’d learnt his lesson in that, he’d merely try and converse with the man. Wen Qing didn’t have the strength Lan Wangji had, she was a newly formed ghost. She feared too much impact would cause her spirit to shatter and disperse.

“Wei Ying.” Lan Wangji softly uttered to the man, Wei Wuxian appeared to not hear the words, so Lan Wangji began to periodically repeat his name. Again and again, he wouldn’t give in, even if the resentment was starting to form a crack in his core.

“Wei Ying.” Then a clear moment appeared, a moment of clarity, a moment of sanity. The wave of resentment dispersed to Lan Wangji’s relief, there was still a faint haze of red over Wei Wuxian’s left eye but he appeared to be held together for the next few moments.

“Hanguan-jun, Lan Wangji, Lan Zhan. I’m sorry…” Wen Qing appeared to gasp in the corner, Lan Wangji wondered if he could see her as well but left that as a question for another time. He only cared that Wei Wuxian had found a moment of clarity and could speak to him, if only for a few seconds.

“Wei Ying I-” He couldn’t even finish his words, in that split second he watched as Wei Wuxian pulled the Yin Hu Fu which had been concealed inside his robes, Lan Wangji had completely let it slip his mind that the Yin Hu Fu was still in his possession. But what made the man fear even more was the content look across his face, it was a weak smile but still one of a man with all accomplishments fulfilled.

“And thank you.” In those few seconds Lan Wangji had lost him, those few seconds of inaction had led to the destruction of Wei Wuxian.

┗━━━◢◤◆◥◣━━━━┛

As Wei Wuxian rose from his bow he took notice of Lan Wangji looking like an ice wall, fearing he’d angered the man he quickly tried to leave. However, Lan Wangji grasped his arm to restrain him from leaving.

“I’m sorry.” Was the only words he uttered before making his way out of the room and towards the ceremony hall. Wei Wuxian was confused at Lan Wangji’s words but knew he couldn’t waste any more time then he already had, his son was expecting him. But as he made his way down the hallways to make his way there a thought crossed his mind.

How do I know the pathways of this place?

Chapter Text

“Young Master Jin, you have to make the trip.” Jin Guangyao explained to his nephew, he’d been instructed by Sect Leader Jin to take care of the young boy ever since his first visit to Lanling. Jin Ling had made it difficult for the already ailing man as he continuously disappeared when he was needed. Jin Guangyao was impressed he hadn’t been put to an early grave by this boy, or by his other Uncle for that matter. He’d scolded the boy once and Jiang Cheng had caught wind of this. Put simply he never berated the boy again.

“I refuse to go to Gusu, why do I have to attend the classes there anyway?” Jin Ling had been informed a week prior that as the Young Master of the Jin’s he had to attend the lectures which were to occur in the Cloud Recesses, however he was adamant about not attending on the account the Lan Clan were all ice walls with nothing interesting about them. No one was sure where he had gotten such an opinion, many suspected his Uncle Jiang Cheng to have influenced such an opinion. But the man had a high respect for the Lan Clan, so that theory was quickly dismissed.

“It would be a good experience, Young Master Jin. Sect Leader Jiang attended when he was our age, he said he has fond memories of the place.” Ouyang Zizen added to the conversation, however he only received a slight glare from Jin Guangyao. He was treated like a servant while at Lanling, it didn’t matter what Jin Ling had said to the individuals who surrounded him, Zizhen was an outcast. A stranger who didn’t belong amongst the luxury of the Jin Clan. Even the servants there had treated him as an outcast, constantly bumping into him or spilling drinks on him as he was served. It wasn’t until Zizhen began to act more like a servant of Jin Ling’s that the treatment he received seemed to finally improve, if only slightly.

“That’s only cause-” Jin Ling stopped himself partially through his words, that was something only his mothers side of the family were allowed to hear. Not the scum that was the people on his fathers side. “Fine, I’ll go. But under one condition.” Jin Ling snapped at his Uncle, although he’d never call Jin Guangyao that.

“Anything the Young Master asks will be done.” Jin Guangyao felt a slight bit of relief, the elders had been becoming antsy at not having Jin Ling agree to going to the lectures, they feared his absence would reflect badly on the Jin Sect. However, what Jin Ling requested was something Jin Guangyao knew would cause issues.

“Ouyang Zizhen has to attend the lectures with me, not as a servant. As the head disciple.” This caused both individuals to gasp at Jin Ling’s words, Zizhen even ended up dropping the history book he had been reading. He’d been trying to understand the Jin Sect history so he wouldn’t be so clueless as to who people discussed, he didn’t realise how daunting the task was until he’d started. That had been a month ago.

“Young Master Jin, please reconsider. Ouyang Zizhen isn’t even of the Jin Clan, to have him as the head disciple would not only be impossible but insulting to the current head disciple.” The current head disciple of the Jin Sect was Jin Qiang, a boy who had managed to buy his way into the position due to his family being from wealthy merchants. He claimed to have innate strength so that no one could defeat him, it was why he had refused to duel anyone. But in actuality he was so bad at using his sword he knew he’d lose to anyone, even the younger disciples.

“I understand.” Jin Ling lowered his head, Jin Guangyao had thought his nephew finally listened to him and was actually reconsidering. However, that quickly proved false.

“If Ouyang Zizhen is not of the Jin Sect then have him become part of the Sect, of course that is if Ouyang Zizhen is not against this?” Jin Ling turned to his friend who still appeared to be collecting his thoughts, when he realised Jin Ling was talking to him he began to stumble out a response.

“Me? Become part of the Jin Sect?” Jin Ling nodded to his friend, he was serious about this. It was something he’d been considering for a while now, Ouyang Zizhen was currently unattached to a Clan or Sect. Years ago when Zizhen had asked his father if he could accompany Jin Ling to Lanling his father had thrown a huge fit, he had declared Zizhen didn’t care for his Clan and he’d rather run off after his friend. That had hit Zizhen hard at the time, Jin Ling had known despite Zizhen’s reclusive personality he was quite a dutiful and loyal individual. He had constantly taken care of his family shrine back home, constantly trained alongside the members of their Clan as an equal. He’d never treated any of them below unlike his cousin’s did. Most of the younger disciples had been looking forward to the day when Zizhen took over as Clan Leader. However, when they’d heard the announcement their Clan Leader declared one day all their respect for him had been discarded.

“May I have some time to think this over?” Jin Ling nodded in agreement, it was a big thing to ask of him. If he went through with the transition he would be fully abandoning his Clan, he would have no right to return to them. He could think of all the Shidi and Shimei that once looked up to him, the Shixiong and Shijie that had trained him. All their smiling faces, all their hope for him. And what had he done? He’d ran away, ran away and left them to the cruel fate of his cousins.

Zizhen bowed to both individuals as he rose from his seat.

“This one apologises, I shall leave for some fresh air.” Jin Ling nodded his head in understanding while Jin Guangyao smiled in understanding, both boys could see through the man’s mask. They never understood why he kept it up around them.

With Zizhen gone, Jin Ling and Jin Guangyao continued their conversation, although Jin Ling was reluctant to stay in a room alone with a man such as him.

“As for Jin Qiang, I couldn’t care what his opinions are on the matter. After all, I believe we are both aware of his misuse of power. How many female disciples have disappeared once he’s managed to get his greedy mits on them.” Jin Guangyao wasn’t sure how to respond to such a remark, he was aware of the decline of the female disciples since Jin Qiang had his title bestowed on him. But on the account of who the boy's father was as well as Jin Guangyao being an illegitimate heir, well the numbers weren’t in his favour.

“In fact, I want him stripped of his title immediately. I know of someone who is much more fitting of the title until Ouyang Zizhen is ready.” Jin Ling was adamant about making a change around Lanling, he knew he had the power to as Sect Leader and he vowed he would make the changes needed when he became Sect Leader. However, he had grown tired of waiting. He wanted to make a change now, and the head disciple was the best place to start.

“But Young Master Jin, you can’t just make these sudden changes.” Jin Guangyao knew if these changes went through there wouldn’t be anyone to stop them, the Jin Elders cared not for the affairs of the Jin Sect only that it made their money pouches heavier. The Jin Sect Leader had only cared for indulging himself in his own personal matters, if he heard of Jin Ling wanting to make change he’d laugh and tell people to let him. He’d pawn off all matters of being Sect Leader to Jin Ling as long as he could keep the title, he’d done it to his son in the past. Why would it make much difference doing it to his grandson?

“Why can I not?” Jin Ling challenged Jin Guangyao, he was the only one who had ever challenged him in this place when it came to his attempts to change things. When he’d first arrived he had tried to cast Zizhen out stating that it was improper for him to have such a companion, that people would begin to suspect something was amiss. Jin Ling had stated he would return to Lotus pier if he wasn’t allowed to have Zizhen with him, the Jin elders had panicked at such a declaration and overruled Jin Guangyao’s words. They had feared without an actual blood tie to the throne chaos would emerge and they had much preferred to not have to deal with such a problem.

When Jin Ling had attempted to train alongside the other disciples his age Jin Guangyao had stated once again that such actions were improper of the heir to the Jin Sect, this had led to Zizhen and Jin Ling practising together in private just as Jin Guangyao had wanted.

Jin Ling had attempted to have Zizhen as more than a servant countless times, but again each time Jin Guangyao foiled his attempts.

“There are rules in place, systems we have to go through in order to have these changes go through. At most I can have Jin Qiang stripped of his title two days from now, you leave for Gusu the day after tomorrow.” Jin Ling knew this wasn’t to be a simple task, he knew he had to enforce these changes now or they never would be.

“How about I go speak with the disciples, I believe they should have a say in this. If I offer them the opportunity to change the head disciple with the person I’m suggesting, do you think they will take it?” Jin Guangyao began to panic now, if Jin Ling really did leave the room and ask the disciples he knew they’d change the head disciple in a heartbeat. The news would definitely reach the Jin elders and there would be no way to stop the change.

“Young Master Jin-” It was then that Jin Guangyao doubled over in pain and began to cough harshly, this was typical for the man at this point. Whenever he had to spend long periods of time without rest his body would begin to give out on him, a doctor had informed him it was an illness of sorts. The specifics were irrelevant but the illness was manageable, as long as he took the prescribed medication and didn’t force himself past his limits. 

Taking this opportunity Jin Ling left the ailing man and made his way to the training ground where most of the disciples were training, he did inform a young servant of Jin Guangyao’s current condition. He disliked his Uncle but wouldn’t let him die, he wasn’t a monster.

· ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · 

It was the morning before Jin Ling was due to set off to Gusu, Zizhen hadn’t joined the Jin Sect, he’d stated he needed more time to decide. Jin Ling assured his friend that he was in no rush to accept the offer, he didn’t even need to accept it in the first place he’d assured him. But Zizhen had stated he wished to think the offer over, he didn’t want to make a rash decision. Jin Ling understood and respected Zizhen’s decision completely, he hadn’t even brought the matter up since Zizhen had declared he needed more time to think. Both boys were happy that this hadn’t caused some form of a rift to begin between them, if it had they were unsure what they would do.

“Young Master Jin.” The new head disciple bowed to Jin Ling, it was a woman who had known his father back when they were younger. Her name was Luo Qingyang, she had initially defected from the Sect when Jin Ling had been a mere baby. According to the documents made by the scribe at the meeting the individuals there had been insulting the name of Wei Wuxian, claiming that Wei Wuxian had been uncontrollable and this led to the murder of the Jin guards on Qiongqi path. Although she hadn’t defended his actions she had objected to the claim that he’d killed indiscriminately. He was sure there had been more to the story than what the scribe had written as an outlash by Luo Qingyang followed by her immediate defection.

Luo Qingyang had then become a rogue cultivator for many years alongside her husband, he’d been a non-cultivator from a village she’d grown up in. Sadly, one night when Luo Qingyang had gone on a night hunt alone a corpse had found its way into their home and killed her husband. Their daughter had managed to hide amongst the cupboards so when Luo Qingyang returned home, she found the mauled corpse of her husband while her daughter had been scarred as she’d watched her father die before her eyes. In need of support for her daughter Luo Qingyang had returned to Lanling and worked as a servant amongst the Jin Sect, she had kept her identity unknown as a mere servant. That was until Jin Ling had taken notice of her exceptional skills when she’d nearly knocked over a vase of white peonies in the hallway one day. After discovering her identity Luo Qingyang had begged the Young Master not to inform anyone, she feared her daughter would be ostracised by her peers if they knew her mother had come crawling back to the Jin Sect after leaving so abruptly all those years ago. Jin Ling had promised her, her identity would be kept secret in exchange for information about his parents. The transaction had worked for the pair for many years, it was only now that Jin Ling had been able to repay the woman for her kindness and give both her and her daughter a better life in Lanling with the respect and increased pay she received for being the head disciple.

“Lady Luo, I’m happy you have easily adjusted to your role as head disciple.” Jin Ling had felt slightly guilty at giving this role to Luo Qingyang when he knew that he’d give it to Zizhen in the future. Luo Qingyang placed a hand on the shoulder of the guilt ridden Jin Ling, she had a soft smile as she spoke.

“I know this isn’t permanent, Young Master Jin. Word gets around us servants fast,” She gave a small wink at that, Jin Ling began to worry about what other things the servants had been gossiping amongst themselves. “In honesty, I am thankful for Young Master Jin’s kindness but I will have to disappoint him in saying I will not stay in this position for long.” Jin Ling’s concern began to grow at those words, he was relying on Luo Qingyang to stay in this position permanently if Zizhen rejected his offer.

“If money is an issue then I can have them pay you more Lady Luo.” Jin Ling quickly tried to bargain, however the woman softly shook her head.

“Money is of no issue Young Master Jin, the pay I’m on now is allowing me to support my daughter better than ever. However, I wish to have her train in the Jin Sect once she becomes of age.” Jin Ling quickly clued on as to why Luo Qingyang couldn’t retain the position for too long.

“You’re worried people will think you're going easy on her cause she’s your daughter.” Luo Qingyang nodded her head in agreement, she couldn’t bear to be the reason her daughter became ostracised by her peers.

“May I ask how long Lady Luo?” Jin Ling carefully approached the question, he had to have a time frame to work with, with the rest of his plans which he had begun to form.

“Two years, possibly three. Afterall, I won’t rush my daughter into attending, it will be of her own choice after all.” Jin Ling nodded in understanding as he made a mental note about the time frame he had to work with.

“I thank Lady Luo for helping me.” Jin Ling bowed to the woman, this caused a few individuals to stop and stare at such a thing. The Sect heir bowing to a woman who’d only been a servant a few days prior. Lady Luo quickly grabbed Jin Ling’s arms and stopped him from bowing.

“No need for such formalities Sect Leader, I’m simply repaying a favour of an old acquaintance. And I couldn’t leave that bastard as head disciple, if I expect my daughter to study here I want to be assured she will be safe.” Jin Ling nodded his head in agreement and understanding. Her favour had indeed been repaid, the stories Luo Qingyang had been able to tell Jin Ling about his parents before their untimely death were stories he wished to never forget.

· ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · 

“Young Master Jin, are you ready for the journey?” A servant who’d escorted him into the carried questioned, Jin Ling was set apart from one thing.

“Where is Ouyang Zizhen?” He was supposed to meet him prior to departure so he could ensure they travelled in the same carriage. He didn’t trust Jin Guangyao to not try to pull something at the last second.

“Ouyang Zizhen has stated he is unfit for the trip to Gusu, he wishes you his regards.” Jin Ling wouldn’t fall for a lie so simple as that, exiting the carriage almost immediately Jin Ling caused quite a few staff to startle.

“Young Master Jin!” Someone had hollered at the boy in surprise, Jin Ling had simply ignored them and turned to the carriage driver.

“We are ahead of schedule, correct?” The driver nodded in agreement, they were meant to set off for another half hour which gave Jin Ling plenty of time to locate his friend.

“Nobody is to inform Jin Guangyao of our delayed departure.” Jin Ling stated before walking off in the direction of the guest quarters where Zizhen had been staying. Despite Jin Ling’s constant request for an actual room to be designated for him.

“Zizhen?” Jin Ling questioned as he opened the boys bedroom, despite the formalities they showed the two boys treated each other as equals when alone. It was one of the reasons Jin Ling could cope with being trapped within Lanling, knowing that there was someone who didn’t expect him to be this all perfect heir.

Jin Ling scanned the room but there was no sign of his friend, in fact there was no sign anyone had lived in this room for years. Everything was immaculate, not a thing out of place. There wasn’t any dust but that was courtesy of the god knows how many servants there were across Lanling. Knowing there was something amiss Jin Ling made his way to his own room, maybe Zizhen had gone there instead?

But again he was granted an empty room, Jin Ling’s room looked to have someone actually living there with various books piled onto the small table. The pillows piled slightly higher than other beds, Jin Ling struggled to sleep laying flat.

Jin Ling was beginning to lose his patience, not that he had a lot most of the time. He’d always been able to fake it, just like his Uncle had taught him too. He was too similar to his Uncle at times.

Jin Ling was going to exit the room when he took notice of two servants entering his room, they must have been ordered to clean his room while he was gone. Jin Ling was a little peeved that all his stuff would be moved about, but he couldn’t complain. They were just following orders. Not wanting to be noticed by the servants, Jin Ling hopped out the window and hovered on Suihua. It was then he heard the gossip between the two servants.

“Have you heard of Luo Nayao, she got promoted to head disciple. I didn’t even know servants could get such promotions?” The smaller of the two women spoke first, she was quite high pitched. Her voice seemed to run right through Jin Ling and annoy him slightly too much.

“I heard that she was a cultivator in the past and that’s why she was given the title.” The brunette spoke this time, her voice was softer. She was a voice that Jin Ling could listen to for hours on end and not be irritated by.

“If she was a cultivator in the past then why did she become a servant?” The women's voices grew and shrank in volume as they made their way around the room.

“I’m not too sure, maybe she was a part of some scandal?” Jin Ling couldn’t believe how exaggerated some of the rumours could get, Luo Qingyang part of a scandal? He was sure she’d rather die than be embarrassed by something of that degree.

“Possibly, but speaking of scandal, you know that boy the Young Master always has around?” This was information Jin Ling was hoping for, maybe not hearing Zizhen talked about in such a manner, but news on him nonetheless.

“Oh, Ouyeng Zimhen. That was the boy's name.” Jin Ling wanted to slap the woman across the face for not only her annoying voice, but her poor memory of his friend's name. He’d been here for years now and they still couldn’t recall his name properly.

“I saw him being dragged away earlier, he was kicking and screaming. I even think he was crying, so childish. To think he sullies the Young Master by being around him.” This was not news Jin Ling wanted to hear, he dreaded what things could be happening to him right now.

“I don’t think that’s childish, how would you feel being dragged away in a place you have little knowledge about?” Jin Ling felt a little gratitude toward the brunette woman, she had some respect for his friend. His words were getting through to some people.

“Also, he appears to be quite sweet. I wouldn’t call him a scandal, I think he’s a good influence on the Young Master.” Jin Ling made a mental note to thank the brunette servant later for her kind words.

“You only think that because he stopped you from falling that time, get over yourself Meimei. He won’t like you back.” This conversation was going somewhere Jin Ling wasn’t willing to listen to, he quickly ordered Suihua to rise back to the window's height. Allowing both servants to see him clearly.

“Young Master Jin.” They unanimously stated as they quickly bowed to him. The smaller servant began to panic at how much the Young Master had heard. Jin Ling made his way over to the brunette and helped her to her feet from her bow.

“Thank you.” He answered, causing the servant to blush at such sincerity, she was always treated so harshly by the others it was a shock to be treated in this manner.

“Rise!” He ordered to the other servant, the woman quickly realised the Young Master had heard plenty of the conversation.

“Where did they take Ouyang Zizhen?” Jin Ling sounded like a completely different person as he spoke to this woman, he had no respect for her. She looked down on people just like everyone else did in Lanling, if you were different you were bound to live a miserable life. Jin Ling had vowed to change that, but hearing how the woman spoke of his friend he realised it might have been too ingrained into people here for the change to be that simple.

“Young Master Jin, you should not worry yourself on such issues.” The woman tried to weasel her way out of the conversation at hand, she knew if the Young Master was to interfere she would be one of the first few individuals accused of informing him. She did not wish to face the wrath of the Jin’s.

“I asked not for your excuses, I asked where he is!” The small woman squeaked at the volume of Jin Ling’s voice, she quickly returned to her bow on the floor. The woman wished she’d have died there and then to avoid the wrath of any others, however fate was never merciful.

“The dungeon.”

Chapter Text

“We thank you all for attending the lectures here at the Cloud Recesses.” Lan Xichen, the head of the Lan Sect, declared to everyone else that was situated there. Many of the clan’s had sent their heirs with a gift in respect, however out of the three major sects, aside from the Lan Sect, only one heir attended. Although Jin Ling could be considered the heir of two Sect’s.

“We will begin the gift giving ceremony now.” Lan Xichen turned to Sizhui at this point, he’d been stationed beside his Uncle throughout the ceremony so far. He quickly rose to his feet and positioned himself slightly in front of the table Lan Xichen was still seated at. “Good morning everyone, my name is Lan Sizhui. Heir to the Lan Sect, I hope to meet all of your expectations and be able to assist you in any manner you may require.” He bowed to everyone once he concluded his words. Many of the heir’s looked at the boy in shock, he hadn’t dressed himself lavishly like many heir’s usually did, although this was the Lan Sect and they rarely dressed lavishly. The only difference he had from the others was that his robes and headband looked slightly different than the other Sect members, it wasn’t until people looked closer that they realised there was a similarity between Lan Xichen’s clothing and the boys, he received many bows back. However, he caught notice of two bows in particular. The boy from the Jin Sect, his bow appeared to be lower than others which surprised Sizhui. The other was the boy positioned beside the golden boy, his bow seemed to be equal to his. Although his robes did not look to be of the Jin Sect, but of the Bailing Ouyang Clan.

The ceremony began with the smaller clan’s heir’s rising from their seats one by one with a servant beside them in order to offer such gifts to the young Sect heir. Sizhui bowed in thanks for each gift and carefully handed it to a very serious Lan Jingyi. Sizhui was sure he’d never seen him more focused than he was now.

It was then the Jin Sect heir’s turn to offer their gift, Sizhui had been looking forward to this gift the most.

“Young Master Lan, the Jin Sect offer you this,” Jin Ling turned to Ouyang Zizhen who held a box which he slowly opened to reveal a lavish gift. It was some sort of spiritually powered dagger, the metal looked to be one of high price. Not a surprise from the Jin Sect. “We hope it is to your liking.” Jin Ling bowed in respect to Lan Sizhui as he had done earlier, people began to whisper at his actions but the boy didn’t care.

“I thank Young Master Jin for the lovely gift.” Despite how useless the gift was to the Lan Sect, Sizhui continued to uphold his graceful personality. He knew the heir’s had a say in what gift was given to the Lan Sect so knowing that the boy had decided this was a fitting gift for them gave him all the information he needed about Jin Ling.

“Young Master Lan, I also have another gift.” This caught everyone off guard, usually one gift was given from each individual that attended. Giving two gifts was seen as too much, as if you were trying too hard to gain the Lan Sect’s favour.

“I assure you it is not from the Jin Sect,” The individuals attending began to look between each other in confusion, most of the people attending were unaware of Jin Ling’s dual heritage.

“From the Jiang Sect.” Jin Ling nodded towards Ouyang Zizhen and watched as he quickly made his way beside his seat and revealed another box similar to the one from earlier, apart from there being a lotus flower in contrast to the peony from the earlier box.

“We of the Jiang Sect hope you appreciate this gift.” Jin Ling bowed once more, Sizhui was sure this one was slightly lower than the last. As he peered into the box he took notice of the books inside. They looked to be musical scores of sorts, specifically scores of songs common within Yunmeng. Sizhui smiled at this gift, it looked to be more well thought of and custom to the Sect.

“Thank you Young Master Jin, we gladly accept your gift.” This was the first gift Sizhui had genuinely smiled at, he couldn’t wait to take the scores for himself to learn. Maybe his A-Niang would appreciate the songs of his childhood.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

“You handled that very well, A-Yuan, you should be proud.” Lan Xichen admitted as himself and Sizhui were sorting through all the gifts they had received. Most of them would be tucked away with the vault within the Lan Sect, the documents which were received in books or scrolls would most likely end up in the public library within the Cloud Recesses. There was one gift that Sizhui had been looking for in particular, the Yunmeng musical scores.

“Thank you uncle, I just hoped it was good enough for everyone else.” This had been the first appearance for Sizhui since he’d been declared the heir to the Lan Sect a few months back. His name was common knowledge to many however his face still seemed to be a mystery, probably why many of the heir’s had looked at him without much thought when he’d initially greeted them at the door to the classroom.

“If you ask me you did amazing Sizhui, those privileged assholes didn’t deserve your respect.” Lan Jingyi declared as he entered the room. Sizhui looked at him dumbfounded, he dared to swear in front of their very own Sect Leader. However, Lan Xichen laughed at Jingyi’s little outburst.

“Yes, I believe you are very right, young Jingyi. But we have to be respectful to them. We wouldn’t want a political dispute on our hands.” Jingyi nodded in understanding to his Sect Leaders words, even though Jingyi wished he could punch everyone of the privileged heir’s in the face he knew it wouldn’t end well for them all.

“Not all of them acted privileged.” Sizhui added as he pushed another box to the vault pile, he was beginning to think he’d never find the scores at this point.

“Who? That princess and the out of place Bailing Ouyang kid?” Jingyi may have been a fool at times, but he was just as observant as Sizhui was. Only when he wanted to be.

“Princess?” Sizhui questioned allowed as he sealed yet another box, he was getting desperate for the scores now.

“The guy looked too feminine, I mean his hair looked like it had a million ointments applied to it. His features were soft like a ladies too, I mean he hardly looked to have any muscles on his arms.” Sizhui made a mental note to not let Jingyi near the Jin Sect heir anytime soon, he was fond of the boy so far and didn’t want Jingyi putting a wrench in it. 

“Despite his feminine qualities you still have to respect him, he is the heir of two prominent Sects.” Lan Xichen added as he rose to his feet, he’d finished cleaning his portion of gifts.

“Of course Sect leader Lan, may I ask what those are?” Lan Jingyi pointed towards the various papers which were carefully held between his hands.

“These are music scores.” Sizhui rotated his head quicker than he thought was possible, although he did receive a slight whiplash from it.

“Specifically the music scores so kindly given by Young Master Jin.” Sizhui rose to his feet at this point, his Uncle had so kindly brought them towards him. However, when he tried to take them from his Uncle’s hands he was promptly stopped by having them hidden away in Lan Xichen’s robes.

“I don’t think you’ll be needing these just yet, A-Yuan.” Lan Xichen admitted with a smile displayed on his face, as much as he liked seeing his Uncle smile and be happy he really wanted those scores.

“But Uncle, those are from the Jiang Sect. I wanted to play them for A-Niang and A-Die, maybe it might even help A-Niang.” Sizhui basically pleaded with Lan Xichen, meanwhile Lan Jingyi stood looking confused. Although he had befriended Sizhui when they had both been very small he’d never met the boy's mother on the account of it being complicated, well that was what Sizhui had always stated. He knew of the boy's father but only due to the fact Jingyi had questioned Sizhui over and over who he was when they were both children. Sizhui had been desperate to make a friend back then so he caved.

“I’m sure your mother would love to hear them, but maybe after the classes have finished? I know you’ll end up devoting all your time to learning these instead of focusing on your studies.” Lan Xichen was right, Sizhui had adopted the stubbornness of both his parents. Especially the eagerness of his mother in learning new skills.

Sizhui lowered his head in agreement, he knew his Uncle was correct. He usually was.

“Also Uncle?” Sizhui began to question, it was something he’d been meaning to ask before the classes began. “Who will be teaching the lessons in Grandmaster Lan’s place?” The atmosphere appeared to have dropped a couple degrees when the man was mentioned. Jingyi had a long awaited debt to repay the man and was expecting to fulfil payment for that debt at some point in the near future. Lan Xichen had cut ties with the man just as his brother had after the incident, although due to the blood ties to the man and the fact he had raised himself and Lan Wangji since they were mere children he couldn’t just toss the man out into the world with such a disgrace. So instead they had kept the incident underwraps and instead began the rumour that the man had gone into seclusion and wouldn’t be expected back anytime soon. In actual fact he had been confined to the cold caves in the back mountain, he was given adequate food and materials to keep him entertained. But he would never see the light of day again, Xichen was sure of that.

“A-Yuan, Lan Qiren no longer holds that title. Nor does he hold any connection to you anymore, you don’t have to treat him with such respect.” Lan Xichen managed to calmly speak without having his emotions get the better of him. He could still remember the condition Sizhui had been in at the infirmary. Barely conscious, various healers around him in an attempt to preserve the boy's life. A lot of the healers had said he was lucky to be able to move as soon as he did, he should have been in a coma.

“Uncle?” Sizhui repeated again, Lan Xichen had spaced out at remembering the horrific images.

“I’m sorry A-Yuan, just some bad memories.” Lan Xichen smiled softly at his nephew, he could see Sizhui had tightened his grip around his body as he usually did when he felt guilty about the incident. Lan Xichen wrapped a comforting arm around his nephew as he spoke.

“A-Yuan, do you remember the story I told you about your father when he first brought you home?” Jingyi settled into a nearby seat at this, this was information he’d never hear from Sizhui's mouth no matter how much he pestered him. Sizhui nodded in agreement to his Uncle’s words, he’d heard the story various times.

His father had been punished by Lan Qiren for saving his A-Niang and attacking various Elders of the Lan Sect. Even with his horrendous injuries he still dragged himself to the burial mounds where he once again found his A-Niang. He had been cuddling Wen Yuan himself, Wei Wuxian had been delirious. His sense of self was broken, all he had was fragments and one of them was that this boy was his son. A son he’d wanted to protect, but he couldn’t remember from what. After what had been a difficult battle Wei Wuxian had managed to grasp hold of a fragment of a memory, if only for a moment. The memory of a white headband being tied to his wrist. With that he had entrusted Wen Yuan to Lan Wangji. That was until he lost consciousness and ended up in a coma for multiple years.

“Did I ever tell you what happened to you?” Sizhui shook his head in denial, he’d never been interested in stories about himself when he was younger. It always had to do with his parents, he’d loved the story about the cave of the Xuanwu monster. The foolish story of his A-Niang pulling loose his A-Die’s ribbon in the middle of the archery competition. The story of his A-Die meeting his Qing Jiejie for the first time, although he’d been there he hadn’t remembered as many details as his A-Die had.

“You had a severe fever when you first arrived at the Cloud Recesses.” Both individuals had forgotten about Jingyi’s existence while discussing these matters, Jingyi was just happy he was able to learn more about his friend and possibly give him comfort on these matters in the future if needed.

“Your father was in no fit state to take care of you so when he collapsed with both your mother and yourself with him I promptly sent him to the Jinshi along with some healers to be tended to. I followed the healers so I could ensure he was safe myself. Your mother was sent to the Gentian house and you were left in the capable hands of the healers at the infirmary. Well that was what I had assumed…” Lan Xichen appeared to fade his words out as his memory of that day began to play out once more.

┏━━━◥◣◆◢◤━━━━┓

“Sect Leader Lan, Second Master Lan is currently stable. Although if he pulls another stunt like this I doubt it’ll stay this way.” The Healer concluded to the Young Sect Leader, Lan Xichen, was still trying to understand all his roles whilst being a Sect Leader. His brother was not helping with these issues.

“Thank you, if you don’t mind, would you please ensure the young boy I sent to the infirmary is well taken care of?” The healers nodded and bowed to the Sect Leader before making their departure. None of the Lan Sect liked sticking around the Jinshi, there was too much bad history within these walls.

“Wangji…” Lan Xichen uttered as he situated himself beside his barely conscious brother, he’d been phasing in and out of consciousness since the healers had administered some form of herb.

“Brother…” Lan Wangji mumbled out as he tried to sit up right, Lan Xichen didn’t even have to stop his brother. He lacked the strength to pull himself up, he wasn’t surprised. The weight of two individuals, although both underfed and undernourished, were still weight that his brother shouldn’t have been carrying.

“Where is he…” Lan Wangji muttered out as his eyes lazily glanced around the room, Lan Xichen took this moment to take his brother's headband off of his head. He was recuperating, he didn't need the prospect of their rules bearing down on him while he was recovering.

“Young Master Wei is in the Gentian house, although with the way he was dressed it was hard to realise who he was. Even Uncle thought you’d brought home some random mediocre.” Although Lan Wangji knew Wei Wuxian didn’t have a golden core on the account of Wen Qing explaining why his spiritual energy didn’t work on him it still hurt to know he’d lost his core, as well as the fact Lan Wangji was unaware how he’d lost it in the first place. Wen Qing had refused to reveal any details as to how, why or when he’d lost it, only the fact that it was vacant from its original spot.

“L..La…n Wa..i…” The barely conscious man had heard the faint whispers of someone who wasn’t his brother, a woman of sorts.

“W..n Yu…n, pl..a..e ke..p sa..fe…” That had been the last time he’d heard the woman’s voice, whether she’d ever been there was never to be proven. Lan Wangji could have been picturing the woman there the entire time, he liked to wish she had been there. That one of the few people that had cared for his soulmate had helped him one last time.

“A-Yuan… What happened to him?” Lan Wangji managed to spit out, he couldn’t help Wei Wuxian but he could help his son and that was what mattered to him in these delirious moments.

“The young Wen boy?” Lan Xichen questioned, although he’d thought the child to be cute the Wen garbs had brought an unsettling thought to his mind. Lan Wangji vaguely nodded his head at his brother's words.

“He is being treated by the healers as I speak, Wangji, who is this boy?” Lan Xichen couldn’t very well harbour both the Yiling Patriarch and a remnant of the Wen Clan within the Lan Sect. If anyone was to find out he could be held for treason or worse.

“He is… My son…” Lan Wangji confessed to his brother, the poor man was in shock. His prestigious and untainted brother had a son!?

“Not… biological…” Lan Wangji had known the conclusion his brother would jump to with how young A-Yuan was.

“Please… Don’t let him suffer anymore…” With those words Lan Wangji had fallen asleep once more, he’d exhausted himself more than he ever had. He expected it to take days before Lan Wangji gave even slight signs of awakening.

When Lan Xichen had arrived at the infirmary he was shocked to see a suffering three year old attempting to combat the fever on his own accord, and he appeared to be losing.

“What’s wrong with him?” Lan Xichen quickly ordered the healers, he feared that if something were to happen to this boy similar consequences were bound to happen to his brother.

“A severe fever Sect Leader Lan, the boy's body appears to be attempting to fight it off.” Lan Xichen didn’t need such an obvious observation, he could tell what a fever looked like. His brother had contracted enough of them when they were kids.

“Why isn’t the medicine helping him?” He quickly demanded an answer, the young boy's condition appeared to worsen by the second. The healers exchanged looks between one another as their Sect Leader demanded answers.

“You have administered medicine, have you not?” The healers were aware of what was wrong with the child, it made perfect logical sense to remedy the illness. Yet they appeared to have not followed such a process.

“Sect Leader Lan, you are aware of this boy belonging to the Wen Clan.” Lan Xichen nodded his head in understanding, unless he was blind and unable to see the Wen Clan robes on the boy he was perfectly aware of where he came from.

“Then, pardon my rudeness, why does Sect Leader Lan want to save this child?” Lan Xichen wanted to fire every individual in the room on the spot.

“He’s a child, does he look like he has people's blood on his hands?” The healers began to exchange awkward glances between one another, as if they were hiding something. Lan Xichen was beginning to lose his patience with the individuals in the room, he always gave individuals the benefit of the doubt as well as judging the actions they had taken themselves and not allow any choices of the clan they may be associated with sway opinions of others.

“Do not make assumptions about others, do not bully the weak, do not disrespect the younger. These are all rules you are breaking currently.” Lan Xichen felt fury boil beneath his skin, he couldn’t believe healers would treat such a young child like this.

“If you don’t act quick enough you will be breaking another rule, do not take life within the premises!” Lan Xichen knew it was unreasonable to be yelling, he was in a healer's ward as well as being the esteemed Sect leader. But he couldn’t bear to watch this child suffer as he was.

“A-Die…” Lan Xichen heard the faint murmur of a child from behind him, the young Wen Yuan must have had a break from his fever and had mistaken Lan Xichen as his brother. It wasn’t a surprise, the two did look similar and with the effects of the fever probably wasn’t helping. Knowing that the boy would be more relaxed with the thought of his father nearby he began to act as closely to his brother as he could. He knew he’d be breaking rules but right now he really couldn’t care.

“A-Yuan, it’s me.” He grasped the little boy's warm hands in his own, he felt the boy shiver under his grip. He forgot how cold his hands could be at times. Taking this into consideration he placed one of his hands against the boy's boiling forehead, he hoped he could give some relief for him.

“Whe… Where is A-Niang…” Lan Xichen had no idea who this boy's mother was, he could only continue to mislead the poor child.

“She’s safe, she’s resting right now.” The young A-Yuan hummed in understanding at what he presumed to be his fathers words, although he hadn’t taken notice of the change of pronouns. A-Yuan seemed to fall asleep once more at this point, he really wasn’t able to deal with the fever. Knowing the young boy wouldn’t be able to see nor witness his next actions Lan Xichen began to shout mercilessly at the healers. Stating they were unfit to be at their positions.

It was only then that the two individuals released the information that Grandmaster Lan had forbidden them from giving the child any medication.

┗━━━◢◤◆◥◣━━━━┛

“If I hadn’t gone into the infirmary to check on you I’m sure you would have died that day A-Yuan.” That left both the boys in shock, to think they had been raised by a Sect which prided themselves on helping the weak. They had been willing to kill a child just because they’d been instructed to do so by an arrogant old man that was too proud to break traditions. Lan Xichen had omitted the detail of A-Yuan being from the Wen Sect, that was a detail for him to learn later on in life. Preferably by his father.

“So Lan Qiren hates me so much just because I’m not pure Lan…” Sizhui managed to stutter out, he’d always thought the actions Lan Qiren had done to him had been due to the fact he was a stain on the great Hanguan-Jun. Although it hadn’t been much of a stain as not many people had known about it until the incident.

“Sadly, yes. Lan Qiren has always been very set in his ways, always seeing the world in black and white.” Lan Xichen sadly admitted as he made his way to leave the room.

“I was the same too, that was until your father began to help me see the beauty of greys in this world. Yes some may be darker than others, some may be the palest greys you can ever imagine. But please don’t forget A-Yuan, you are one of the purest whites I’ve seen despite everything you’ve been through. Some have crumbled under less suffering that you have endured.” With that Lan Xichen left the room leaving the two boys in silence. Lan Sizhui kept staring down at his hands in contemplation while Lan Jingyi waited until the Sect Leader was out of ear shot.

“Well that was a story and a half.” He attempted to joke to a deaf Sizhui, knowing something that would cheer him up Jingyi placed a hand on the boy's shoulder with a soft smile.

“How about we go visit the bunnies?”

Chapter Text

“Young Master Jin!” Someone shouted as they banged their fist against the door to Jin Ling’s current accommodation. It was one of the Jin disciples, who was currently unaware that their young master was currently unconscious in his bed on the account of having to work late into the night prior to their departure.

“Young Master Jin! We need to speak with yo-” The boy in question was silenced, only three disciples had been allowed to come with Jin Ling on his trip. Reassurances as Jin Guangyao had put it, although Jin Ling would rather call them nuisances.

“May I help you?” Ouyang Zizhen stepped outside the room, sliding the door shut in the process. He thought it unfair to disturb Jin Ling with these idiots.

“We want to speak to the Young Master, not you. Filthy deserter.” Zizhen made a mental note about that new insult, he’d have to add it to the already hundred existing insults the oh so creative disciples of the Jin Sect had come up with.

“Well unfortunately for you, this filthy deserter is the only one who is able to take your message.” Zizhen bowed in apology although he couldn’t bow as much as he wished which he quickly regretted as the boy in front grabbed at him. Specifically grabbing at the hair on his head.

“You think just because you're the Young Master’s pet you don’t have to bow as low to us. You think you're higher than us?” Zizhen tried to claw at the boy's hand to try and release his hair, however it was to no avail, he was trapped with even more pain.

“I don’t think lowly of you.” Zizhen managed to spit out through his pain, he really wished the Sect he’d affiliated himself with had a few more brain cells to share with its disciples.

“Then bow to us, properly.” The boy demanded as he finally released Zizhen, however that resulted in him being thrown to the floor. Knowing he didn’t have many other options he did as he was told knowing full well he wouldn’t be able to get back up without assistance.

Just as Zizhen was halfway through his bow he heard the voice of someone calling out.

“Excuse me, may I ask why he is bowing to you three?” Zizhen tilted his head ever so slightly so he could see the individual in question. However, he didn’t expect to see a man in Lan robes with a red hair tie, his hair appeared to be shorter than most his age and no forehead ribbon. He was sure all Lan Clan members wore the headband for some reason.

“Who are you?” One of the boys questioned, the man looked to be twice their age yet the Jin Sect disciples had no respect for the man.

“It matters not who I am, I asked you a question.” Zizhen could feel his body becoming numb from being stuck in this position for such a prolonged period of time.

“Screw off old man, you and your stone faced Sect have nothing to do with this, it is Jin Sect business. None of your concern.” Zizhen knew they were right, any person in their right mind would walk away at this point.

“I dare you to say that again.” His demeanour had changed at this point, his soft and polite one now replaced by that of an angered man.

“I said screw of-” The man landed a square punch to the boy's face, he knew it was unfair on the account of him being a fully grown man fighting a child. But the boy deserved it.

“You can insult me as much as you like, but speak ill of my son and the people he considers family… Well you’ve just seen the result.” The man shook his hand as he spoke. The impact seemed to have affected him more than he liked to admit, plus it was hard to mask a broken nose.

“Let’s get out of here Jin Qiang.” One of the boys lackey’s stated as he began to try and drag the leader away from the oncoming fight. Not being left much of an option Jin Qiang followed the boy in suit. Once they had all retreated elsewhere the man turned to Zizhen who had yet to rise from the floor.

“What’s wrong kid? Got broken legs?” The man questioned as he bent down to see eye to eye with Zizhen. The boy in question simply smiled at the joke and remained on the ground, too embarrassed to admit that one of his legs was broken and was being stabilised by spiritual energy alone. That was until the Jin disciple had interfered with his grasp which held a slight bit of spiritual energy embedded causing a disruption.

“Wait, do you actually have a broken leg!” The man exclaimed as he got to his feet.

“Do you want me to take you to the infirmary, or the healers?” Despite the man’s age he appeared to act like he was merely a teenager. 

“There is no need xiangsheng, I merely need assistance in getting to my feet.” Zizhen smiled softly to the man, he wasn't sure he’d seen the man before. He even appeared to have broken various rules whilst just walking about. But he saved him from those disciples so he couldn’t complain. Extending a hand the man helped Zizhen to his feet, even though it looked as if it pained Zizhen to be on his feet.

“Thank you for your help xiangsheng,” Zizhen bowed to the man, even if it wasn’t as low as he wanted it to be. The man shook his head and bowed in return. 

“No need for thanks young master, I simply did as anyone else would have.” Zizhen was sure this man hadn’t left the confines of the Cloud Recesses in a long time if he imagined if anyone would help another out.

“I’m afraid you are mistaken xiangsheng, I am no young master. Simply a servant to the Jin Sect.” Zizhen attempted a bow again, he knew if Jin Ling heard him talking about himself in this manner he would give him a lecture. But right now he couldn’t hear him, so he was safe.

“Then young servant of the Jin Sect, how may I address you?” There was a slight laugh to his voice, Zizhen was sure this was the first person he’d spoken to in the Lan Sect who actually had a laugh behind them.

“Ouyang Zizhen, and how may I address xiangsheng?” Zizhen was acting purely out of respect, he wanted to be able to thank his saviour properly.

“My name…” The man muttered as he looked onwards at the Young Ouyang Zizhen, it looked like his mind had gone blank at the question.

“Xiangsheng, are you-” Ouyang Zizhen was silenced by another member of the Lan Sect interrupting them.

“Qianbei.” The young disciple stated, he sounded slightly out of breath. Almost as if he had been running, but Zizhen was sure that was forbidden here.

“Qianbei…” The man seemed to recognise the calling of that word, his eyes appeared slightly glazed over like his thoughts were in another place.

“Qianbei, you aren’t supposed to leave the premises, remember?” The man looked to the Lan disciple in questioning.

“Who are you again?” The man questioned in confusion, Zizhen felt even more lost. He was of the Lan Sect, this boy was at the ceremony this morning. How could he not know this boy?

“Qianbei!” The boy exclaimed in annoyance, Zizhen imagined this was a regular occurrence.

“It’s me!” The man looked to the disciple with a raised eyebrow, he had his arms crossed as if not wanting to remember him. “Lan Jingyi? I’m the one who visits with your son?” The man appeared to think for a long while, did he suffer some form of concussion, Zizhen wondered.

“Nope, never heard of you.” The man finally answered after a while, Zizhen really struggled to believe this man belonged to the Lan Sect. He seemed too out of place.

“Please just come with me, otherwise Hanguan-Jun will get mad at me.” The man recognised the name Lan Jingyi stated and slowly began to walk back in the direction he’d come from, he did know his way around the place after all. Even if he couldn’t explain why he knew.

Lan Jingyi let out a sigh of relief at the man listening to him, he knew he should follow the man but the disciple which struck out as odd to him earlier caught his attention.

“My apologies for Qianbei’s actions, I hope he wasn’t a problem.” Lan Jingyi bowed to the struggling Ouyang Zizhen, although he’d managed to get his leg somewhat stabilised again he couldn’t be oblivious to the pain.

“He was not a problem at all,” Zizhen attempted to return a bow, Lan Jingyi took notice of that. He had looked somewhat healthier earlier at the presentation. Just as Zizhen was about to ask about his saviour's name again the earlier Jin disciples returned. Jin Qiang appeared to have not had his nose healed although the bleeding had stopped.

“Your little saviour’s gone and run off now, no-one to hide behind now you little lap dog.” Jin Qiang proudly announced for everyone to hear, other members of various Clan’s had heard his announcement and began to listen in. Although the Lan Sect disciples carried on with their day, they knew that they would be punished for not stopping such an incident but they would rather not get themselves involved when the future Sect leader’s closest friend was at the centre of the dispute.

“Lap dog?” Jingyi questioned aloud to Zizhen who looked towards the ground in defeat, he had hoped to avoid the Jin disciples as much as he could throughout this trip. Sadly that wasn’t going to happen.

“I’m not gonna tell another stone faced Lan to screw off, just get out of my way.” Jin Qiang began to make his way over to Zizhen, however Jingyi stood between the two.

“What did I just say kid?” Jingyi wasn’t willing to be disrespected this much in his own home, swiftly grabbing the boy's sleeve Jingyi simply stated with a smile.

“I’m willing to forget your earlier comment if you were to leave me and Young Master Ouyang. I have something to discuss with him.” Jin Qiang wasn’t willing to wait any longer to make Zizhen pay for how he spoke to him earlier and the pain he had to suffer because of the man from earlier. Underestimating the man’s strength Jingyi was thrown into a nearby pillar with ease, a crack sounded from the impact. The people standing nearby were unaware if the crack came from the pillar or Jingyi himself. While recovering from the impact Jingyi could hear the faint sound of a restrained scream come from Zizhen’s lips. Jin Qiang had made his way over to the boy, forced him to the ground and landed a clean stamp on the boy’s right leg. Tears pricked at the edges of Zizhen’s eyes but he still managed to maintain a dignified look, one of unwavering defiance.

Lan Jingyi had to give the boy credit, he had guts. Although in this situation it might have been better if he begged for mercy.

“To think you have two Lan’s wrapped around your finger already, both defending you. We’ve not even been here a day and you have managed to seduce them, bet it didn’t take long with your skills. I mean you’ve even got a Sect Leader who is due to inherit two Sect’s at your beck and call. When will you have enough!” While keeping his foot pressed down onto Ouyang Zizhen’s leg Jin Qiang had grabbed at the boy’s hair and began to draw him closer to his face as he spoke. As much as Zizhen had tried to mask his pain he ended up faltering as tears fell down his face at the unbearable pain. None of the bystanders dared to get involved when a scandal such as this was being announced.

“I told… You…” Zizhen managed to rasp out between pained breaths. “Jin Ling and I… Have no… No such…” Zizhen began to worry he’d fall unconscious due to the pain he was in, although it wasn’t as bad as it had been before. However, when his leg was sharply twisted in an angle he believed wasn’t humanly possible it was hard to picture a time the pain was worse than this. His resolve crumbled in an instant, tears falling down his cheeks while a broken cry left his lips. He sounded like a small child in that instant, broken beyond what should have been necessary.

“You claim to have no such relationship, yet the Young Sect leader is never seen without you by his side. You have been seen to spend late nights in his rooms with him. People have even seen you sleeping in the same bed as the Young Sect Leader!” Jin Qiang was right in the claims he had been making, he had spent many late nights in Jin Ling’s room. He’d slept in the same bed with Jin Ling, but none of them had known the reasoning behind it. Or more like none of them cared for the actual truth. While Jin Qiang had been declaring this strangled cries continued to escape Zizhen’s mouth, part of him was praying this would kill him. He honestly didn’t think he’d be able to take much more.

Getting fed up with these accusations Jingyi decided he wanted to take matters into his own hands, he launched himself from his spot on the ground using the pillar as a crutch of sorts to force himself away. Jin Qiang fell away from Zizhen releasing him from any further pain for the moment. However, Jingyi forgot to take into the account that the Jin Sect’s housing was situated on the far side of the Cloud Recesses, which quickly followed Lan Jingyi falling down a cliffside with Jin Qiang.

“Lan Jingyi!” A woman cried from afar, she had been watching the scuffle from afar not realising Jingyi had been involved. The woman raced forwards, almost throwing her own body off the edge to follow the pair. Just as she’d removed what appeared to be fans from her hip she heard the shout of someone below.

“Lian-Jie I’m fine!” It was Lan Jingyi, he quickly rose from the mist which had covered the cliff before. Jingyi was hovering on his sword appearing perfectly fine, meanwhile the Jin disciple looked terrified out of his mind, held only by the collar by Jingyi.

“Will you leave us alone now?” Jingyi questioned as he threw the boy to the floor, Jin Qiang scampered backwards to his two lackey’s who had the same look of fear in their eyes. Taking note of the now senior Lan disciple they would have to deal with the group quickly made their leave.

Still writhing in pain on the floor Zizhen tried to calm himself, however each breath seemed to bring a new form of pain.

“Young Master Ouyang!” Jingyi exclaimed as he leapt from his sword to his side, Zizhen looked to be in an unfortunate state. His breaths laboured, his leg twisted the completely wrong way.

“Lian-Jie, we need to take him to the healers.” Zhu Lian nodded in agreement as she carefully tried to lift the boy into her arms, she saw as flashes of pain crossed Zizhen’s face with each step she took. Knowing she still had to locate Wei Wuxian who was still wandering the premises she swiftly handed Zizhen to Jingyi who looked up in confusion.

“Use your sword to take him to the healers, I still need to find A-Xian. I’ll find the Ouyang Clan whilst I’m at it.” . With that she began to wander off the next hallway, however she halted when Zizhen had managed to finally cry out.

“No… Not… Not them…” Jingyi was wanting to make his way to the infirmary as soon as possible for Zizhen’s sake. Zhu Lian quickly made her way back to save Zizhen’s voice.

“Young Master Ouyang, who would you like me to fetch?” Zhu Lian felt sympathetic to the boy.

“A-Rulan…” It was then that his energy seemed to fail him, passing out in Lan Jingyi’s arms. Being unaware of anyone under the name of ‘A-Rulan’ Zhu Lian made her way to the Sect leader’s study, he would be the most likely man to know.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

Upon arrival the healers began quick work in attempting to heal the poor boy, various amounts of spiritual energy was given to him, his leg rearranged in what Jingyi thought sounded the most painful way possible. Eventually the healers finished their work and explained to Lan Jingyi the prognosis.

“Young Master Ouyang will have to rest here for the next 2-4 weeks. We have administered various amounts of spiritual energy alongside medicinal herbs; however that is the best we are able to do.” The healer bowed to Lan Jingyi who returned a bow in thanks. Settling himself beside Zizhen’s bedside Jingyi began to take notice of the unconscious boy, he was pretty for a boy. He had to admit that, but the name he’d asked for before still confused him.

‘A-Rulan’

He must be close with this person, maybe he was one of the Jin disciples? Or it could be a specific Ouyang disciple? As Jingyi thought the name over the Jin disciples words from earlier creeped into his mind.

‘People have even seen you sleeping in the same bed as the Young Sect Leader!’

Could this Rulan be the Young Master Jin?

Jingyi didn’t have time to think the question over for long before Zizhen began to stir.

“Young Master Ouyang, how do you feel?” Was the first thing Jingyi questioned as Zizhen focused on getting himself to sit upright. However, the glare Jingyi received when Zizhen was comfortable was something he wasn’t expecting.

“Did I say something wrong?” Jingyi awkwardly queried, Zizhen slowly let his head fall back on the pillow while letting a sigh leave his lips.

“Stop calling me that.” Jingyi brought his chair closer to the edge of the bed so he could rest his elbows against it.

“I’m no Young Master Ouyang, well at least I haven’t been for a long time.” Zizhen wished he could say he had fond memories of when he was the heir to the Ouyang Clan, that he’d loved it there. That he regretted his decision three years ago. But he didn't, the bad memories heavily outweigh the good ones.

“May I ask as to why that is?” Jingyi knew he was being a bit pushy on details about this boy but this Ouyang Zizhen intrigued him more than he would care to admit.

“It doesn’t matter, what's in the past should stay in the past.” Jingyi thought his words were smart ones but it looked like Zizhen’s past was still haunting him.

“If I can’t call you that then what do you wish to be called?” Jingyi questioned with a soft smile, it had only been a couple minutes but Jingyi had already decided this boy would be his friend.

“Zizhen, please call me Zizhen.”

“Alright Zizhen, call me Jingyi then.”

Chapter Text

Wei Wuxian wandered throughout the halls of the Cloud recesses without care, vaguely looking into empty rooms or stopping to admire the beauty that the place he resided held.

Lan Wangji had been spending the better part of half an incense time looking for Wei Wuxian, when he’d come to check on the man he was very concerned when his residence was empty. Knowing his curious nature he knew he’d only wander around the place, after all Wei Wuxian promised he wouldn’t leave Sizhui again.

Lan Wangji had even sent Zhu Lian in search of the man, although he wasn’t sure that was wise. After all, her face could trigger a memory of sorts for the man. Just like something had the other week.

┏━━━◥◣◆◢◤━━━━┓

“Wangji, I don’t think he’s going to get better.” Lan Xichen sadly admitted to his brother, Lan Wangji wouldn’t allow any doctors near Wei Wuxian on the account of what if they recognised him. Lan Xichen had tried to argue that not even their uncle recognised him and he appeared to hate him the most, but Lan Wangji was adamant about his decision.

“He will.” Lan Wangji answered resolutely whilst he drank his tea, even though his recent attempt to help the man had ended with Wei Wuxian shouting and chasing him out the Gentian house. Sizhui had to calm him down in the end and explain that Lan Wangji was the man who raised him as well as the fact the pair of them had been close when he was younger. It seemed unless it was tied to Sizhui Wei Wuxian was unable to retain any memory of anything significant.

“Wangji, he doesn’t have a single clue as to who you are. The only thing he appears to care about is A-Yuan, maybe that should be enough. A-Yuan has appeared happier than I’ve seen him in a long time. What if your efforts end up retracting the small fragments he has left?” Lan Wangji hadn’t thought about that, he’d only been focused on trying to gain other memories he hadn’t taken into account previous ones.

“If Wei Wuxian was to reject A-Yuan, how distraught do you think the boy would be?” Lan Wangji couldn’t answer his brother, he was right. Like most times. But he couldn’t, he wouldn’t give up. After all, Wei Wuxian had nearly given his life to save everyone else from the destruction that was the Yin Hu Fu. Lan Wangji couldn’t forget those last few moments.

The look of content on his face, he had been ready to die at that moment. Ready to allow himself to disappear from this world forever. And those words.

‘I’m sorry…’

‘And thank you.’

Those words seemed more significant that Lan Wangji could comprehend, Wen Qing had understood the significance. But she wasn’t exactly available to communicate with. Ever since he came back to Gusu with A-Yuan and what remained of Wei Wuxian she hadn’t been heard or seen. Lan Wangji had attempted various Inquiries however never received an answer from her nor her brother, he’d tried both in case Wen Ning would be able to reveal some truth as well. However, both souls were unaccounted for.

“Wangji, maybe it's time we hand him over to his brother?” That tore Lan Wangji from his thoughts, Wei Wuxian had limited family left. A brother was not one of them.

“His brother?” Lan Wangji questioned with a raised eyebrow, Xichen wasn’t surprised who he was referring to after all with the argument that occurred between them he imagined the man dropped to the bottom of people Wangji bothered to remember. Although that list appeared to have been growing shorter in recent years.

“Sect Leader Jiang, he believes we have his body as it is. Why not give him Wei Wuxian alive, he may even be relieved to know his brother is aliv-”

“No!” Lan Wangji interrupted his brother, he never had done so in the past but he wouldn’t send Wei Wuxian to his certain death. “That man made it clear that day on the cliff, he was one of the key contributors to his current state..” With that Wangji quickly made his way to his feet, excused himself from the room and made himself disappear from the Cloud Recesses. Even as disciples searched for him they’d come up empty handed, all apart from one person who hadn’t reported his exact location. Lan Sizhui.

“A-Die, Uncle is turning the Cloud Recesses upside down in order to locate you.” Lan Wangji seemed to stall in his strumming of his Guqin for a second as he looked to his son. He had hidden away within the Gentian house knowing very few individuals were aware of its existence.

“Brother suggested handing Wei Ying to Sect Leader Jiang.” He answered without regret, his son had a right to know what could possibly happen to his mother.

“No, he wouldn’t… He can’t…” Sizhui was speechless, would his Uncle actually send his mother away? A single tear ran down Sizhui’s cheek, soon followed by another. It wasn’t long until the boy was an absolute mess of sniffles and tears. Feeling guilty for telling Sizhui and therefore allowing him to end up in this state, Lan Wangji extended an arm to allow Sizhui to embrace him. The boy quickly did so without as much as a second thought. Despite him being the heir to the Lan Sect he was still a boy at heart, a boy who relied so much on the support of his father and the comfort of his mother in the past few months. Lan Wangji carefully wrapped his right arm around his son in comfort, if Xichen really did try to hand over Wei Wuxian he’d simply take the two of them and disappear completely. It might cause a hindrance to Sizhui’s cultivation, but he’d rather not have them separated. Not again.

“A-Yuan, do you remember the song?” Lan Wangji softly requested of the boy, Sizhui quickly blew his nose on a small handkerchief which he concealed beneath his robes. It had a small white rabbit embroidered on the corner, a gift from his father one year. Once he was somewhat more presentable to speak with his father, Sizhui briefly nodded his head.

“The one you wrote for A-Niang?” Lan Wangji replied with a kind smile and a nod, despite what many had claimed Lan Wangji was able to smile, although it wasn’t common for him to even smile in front of his brother he would with his son. He wasn’t sure as to why, maybe it was the warmth the boy radiated.

“Of course, it was the first one you taught me.” Sizhui replied with a pleasant smile to his lips. With that the father and son began to play WangXian together in perfect unison, Sizhui had always loved playing this song, it was a way to connect with both his parents in a way. He had developed the habit of humming the tune of the song whenever he was on night hunts and doubted himself, his peers thought the habit strange but didn’t question it. As long as it helped Sizhui work they had no issue.

As the pair had made it halfway through the symphony the quiet humming of a person could be heard, the two didn’t stall though. It was as if they hadn’t taken notice of the humming, but as the rustle of clothes was heard followed by a humming accompanying the guqin’s tune the two looked to see as Wei Wuxian had arisen from his bed and settled himself across from the pair. His gaze looked vacant yet he continued to hum the tune, the pair continued their strumming right up until the completion of the song. It was then some form of a glimmer of recognition appeared in his voice.

“What’s the name of that song?” Lan Wangji felt he had been thrown back to when he was sixteen all over again, in the cave of Xuanwu. Wei Wuxian in a fevered state lying on his lap as he listened to his humming of WangXian. 

“WangXian.” Lan Wangji managed to answer just like he had back then. But the response was the same.

“What was that?” It was then Lan Wangji noticed he’d been reenacting the events in a way since the song came to an end, for Wei Wuxian it was like he was back in that cave. It was then that Wei Wuxian promptly began to fall where he sat, he’d fallen unconscious just as he had back then. Reaching over to catch the man Lan Wangji let a sigh of relief leave his lips when Sizhui quickly manoeuvred around to allow his father to grab hold of his mother.

Once he was laid in bed once more Lan Wangji turned to Sizhui who still appeared to be confused.

“A-Yuan, I think we might be able to heal your A-Niang.”

┗━━━◢◤◆◥◣━━━━┛

Lan Wangji had yet to put into practise his theories about how to recover Wei Wuxian’s memories, he wasn’t even sure how much Wei Wuxian had recalled on the account of him constantly avoiding the man. It was either he was busy with Sizhui or he’d go wandering around the Cloud Recesses and then immediately fall asleep upon his return. Sleep, sleep, sleep. That was all he had appeared to have done recently. Well until today.

Lan Wangji was about to return to the Gentian house to await Wei Wuxian’s inevitable return there until he took note of the library. The doors had been left slightly ajar, definitely not done by any Lan disciples that was for sure. As Lan Wangji peered inside to take a closer look he watched as someone was sitting on the main table of the library, he was sat to the side as if waiting for someone to sit beside him. The person was diligently writing what appeared to be rules, upon closer inspection one would have seen it was the Lan Clan rules. It was then that Lan Wangji took notice of what appeared to be a wooden training sword beside him, concerned at how easily he had acquired this weapon Lan Wangji failed to notice someone calling for him until they moved closer towards him.

“Hanguan-Jun.” A disciple whispered from the side of the room, hiding behind a small bookcase watching the man. Lan Wangji quietly made his way over to hear the disciples' query.

“This one apologises for asking, but who is this man? He just wandered into here and began writing, he isn’t a part of the lectures going on right? They haven’t been given the robes for the actual lectures to begin yet.” The disciple was right, it wasn’t one of the disciples from the other Sect’s. In all honesty this man belonged to no Sect right now. It was Wei Wuxian, and he appeared to have triggered another memory of sorts.

“Ensure the library is undisturbed until I leave.” Lan Wangji instructed the disciple who had taken another gander at Wei Wuxian. The disciple nodded before giving a bow in respect, he left the two men alone in silence. Lan Wangji quickly and silently made his way over to the adjacent seat, if he was correct the memory Wei Wuxian was reciting was the days back when they studied in the Cloud Recesses. Specifically the final day of his punishment where he had diligently copied out the rules without faltering. That was until he had caused his usual antics.

With nothing else to do Lan Wangji watched as Wei Wuxian wrote line after line of the Gusu Lan rules, however after he had written what looked to be about seventy rules across various pieces of parchment the next piece of parchment wasn’t used for rules. But for a portrait of Lan Wangji, despite Lan Wangji not even attempting to hide the fact he was watching Wei Wuxian, the man in question looked up at him as if he wasn’t being watched. As if he could see a completely different image to Lan Wangji. As the minutes passed Lan Wangji moved his vision to the window in the library, he could vaguely see the training ground with the disciples. He couldn’t pinpoint exact disciples from this distance but could make out a larger figure assisting smaller ones who appeared to be rising into the air. He assumed the older disciples were assisting the younger disciples in their flying skills on the sword, after all, all classes had been dismissed till tomorrow. It wasn’t until a piece of paper was slid across the desk that Lan Wangji recalled why he was in the room in the first place. As he looked over the image a small smirk played on Wei Wuxian’s lips, Lan Wangji had forgotten how much he’d missed that smile.

The image was meticulously made, with each stroke of ink appearing to have various thoughts behind it. Although the image was of Lan Wangji many years younger it was beautiful. An almost exact copy of the one Lan Wangji had carefully stored away in his room somewhere. It was then that Wei Wuxian appeared to wink at the man, just as he had in the past. Lan Wangji knew he’d have to say something soon, he wanted to appreciate the art. Let its owner know how much it mattered to him. But he didn’t, Lan Wangji feared if he said something different Wei Wuxian might not recall anything.

“To waste time doodling instead of copying the text; I believe your punishment will never end.” Thinking back on his words Lan Wangji felt he’d been a slight bit too harsh, although he was right thinking his punishment would never end. After all, Lan Qiren had ended up kicking him out only a few weeks later. Wei Wuxian began to blow on the ink in an attempt to dry it while Lan Wangji reminisced over his memories.

“I already finished, so I’m not coming tomorrow!” Wei Wuxian’s smile seemed to persist on his lips as he spoke, Lan Wangji took the few pieces of yellowed parchment and began to read the various rules. It was impressive he was able to write these without having a reference, although Wei Wuxian had been able to recite certain rules on various occasions so maybe it wasn’t such a shock after all, yet he had failed to remember one of the most important ones within the Sect at the archery contest those years ago. It struck as humorous to Lan Wangji how that memory only felt like yesterday. Wei Wuxian saw as Lan Wangji didn't take the drawing, so lightly tossed the drawing his way.

“For you.” The drawing had landed just in front of Lan Wangji yet he still refused to pick it up, he seemed to have been lost in another memory of sorts. Although the remnants of what appeared to be a fifteen year old Wei Wuxian thought otherwise, he believed he was being the ice wall he had always been. Sticking to every upright rule of his Sect. If only he had known the nights Lan Wangji had spent tears streaming down his face, how he had carefully held his hand as he lay unconscious in the Gentian house, how he’d nearly given up on everything for him. It hadn’t mattered to Lan Wangji what state he was in, what mattered was him and not the state of him.

“I forgot, there’s something I gotta add for you.” Wei Wuxian swiftly took the drawing back to Lan Wangji’s slight amusement, he watched as Wei Wuxian meticulously drew a flower within the drawing's hair. It was now an exact replica. Wei Wuxian fell to the ground erupting into laughter, Lan Wangji simply lowered the papers he’d briefly been reading to watch Wei Wuxian’s antics.

“Frivolous,’ right? I know you were gonna say frivolous. Can you switch it up? Maybe add a word or two?” Despite Wei Wuxian’s words Lan Wangji managed to still have a faint smile upon his lips, this was the Wei Wuxian he had missed.

“Exceedingly frivolous.” Wei Wuxian let loose another howl of laughter as he clapped his hands together.

“Added a word as expected, thank you!” Hearing Wei Wuxian say ‘thank you’ again saddened Lan Wangji slightly, it made him recall the fact that he wasn’t in the library with Wei Wuxian all those years ago. That this was just a phantom version of himself that was most likely going to vanish within a few minutes. A few moments passed before Wei Wuxian erupted into laughter, slamming his hand against the desk in his amusement. Lan Wangji couldn’t forget about what he’d done next.

“Wei Ying.” He didn’t state it in anger as he had all those years ago, part of him didn’t think he could be angry while watching Wei Wuxian laugh in such amusement. Having that hopeful light in his eyes after so long.

“Here! I’m here!” Wei Wuxian managed to stammer out through his various laughs, Lan Wangji watched as Wei Wuxian jumped to his feet whilst grabbing ahold of the wooden training sword. In a strange way he held the sword between his hands, as if drawing it from a sheath, allowing it to traverse about three parts if it had been inside one.

“Manners! Lan-er-gongzi! Watch your manners! I’ve brought my sword today too! If we start fighting, what’s going to happen to your family’s Library Pavilion?!” Lan Wangji had risen to his feet to meet eye level with Wei Wuxian, watching him recite the actions was almost like the dreams Lan Wangji had witnessed over the many years. Although some of them had diverted from their original endings.

“What kind of person are you?” Lan Wangji carefully versed, watching as Wei Wuxian remained in place, his usual smirk plastered across his lips.

“What else can I be?” Wei Wuxian replied, “A man!” The teasing lilt seemed to increase in his voice as he spoke, this made a thought cross Lan Wangji’s mind. ‘He really did like having all my attention’

“Shameless.” Lan Wangji calmly announced once more, he thought it to be improper if he started shouting with Cloud Recesses, especially when there was a disciple just outside the door.

“Do you need to feel shame over something like this? Don’t tell me you’ve never seen that sort of thing. I don’t believe it.” Wei Wuxian had been right, that was the only time he’d seen such depictions like this. Although he’d never admit to it.

“Go out. We will fight.” Lan Wangji announced, however Wei Wuxian’s smile seemed to increase even more. Thinking back on it Lan Wangji wished he had challenged Wei Wuxian to a formal duel back then, he had wondered who would win in a battle between them.

“Nope, no fighting. Didn’t you know, Lan-er-gongzi? The Cloud Recesses prohibits private fights.” Wei Wuxian always did know how to bend the rules in his own favour, although even Lan Qiren had broken various rules after following them his entire life. So Lan Wangji couldn’t fault Wei Wuxian for using loop holes to his own benefit.

“What are you so grabby for? I thought you weren’t gonna look at it? You want to now? You don’t have to be so aggressive if you do, you know. I borrowed it specifically to share with you. Now that you’ve seen my erotica, you’re my friend. We can keep sharing. There’s even more…” Lan Wangji felt his ears warm slightly at hearing Wei Wuxian say these words, even if the memory was an old one Lan Wangji was still able to remember it slightly too clearly for his own liking.

“I. Will. Not. Look. At. It.” Despite each one being enunciated Lan Wangji managed to remain calm, maybe if he had all those years ago and befriended Wei Wuxian properly he wouldn’t be here.

“Why are you grabbing for it if you’re not gonna look? Keeping it for yourself? That won’t do-I borrowed it from someone else. When you're done, I have to return it… Hey, hey, hey stay where you are. If you come too close, I’ll get nervous. We can talk. You’re not thinking of handing that in, are you? Who will you hand it to? Old… To your shufu? Lan-er-gongzi, is that something that can be shown to the Clan elders? He’ll definitely suspect you’ve already peaked at it yourself. You’re so thin-faced, won’t you die of embarrassment…?” Lan Wangji continued to watch Wei Wuxian as he spoke to himself; he could imagine the face his younger self had pulled at Wei Wuxian’s dramatic and most importantly accurate speech.

“What a waste!” Wei Wuxian exclaimed as he appeared to pull nothing from his hair which had been tied up but looked as if it would fall out soon. After all the man had been rolling around in laughter, also his hair being shorter always did make it difficult to style.

“Lan Zhan, you’re good at everything, but that habit of yours of throwing things around is awful. Look at yourself. How many paper balls have you tossed on the floor in the past few days? And now your bored with paper balls, so you’re ripping up the paper for fun? Clean up after yourself, yeah? I’m not gonna help you.” Wei Wuxian rocked back and forth on his heels as he taunted Lan Wangji, he looked ready to jump at a moment's notice. Almost like a rabbit. Lan Wangji wasn’t able to recite the next few words he had spoken those years ago, after all Wei Wuxian had turned those simple two words into a dagger that stabbed his heart every time he heard them. There was a prolonged silence before Wei Wuxian responded.

“Dammit, Lan Zhan,” Wei Wuxian said. “They all say you’re a shining man of virtue, light of this world, that you have the best manners. Turns out that’s only half true. The Cloud Recesses prohibits clamour, did you know that? And you actually told me to get lost. Is this the first time you’ve ever said something like that…?” Lan Wangji remained in place as he listened to the words which left Wei Wuxian’s lips. His heart ached as he listened to certain parts, despite them being words he hadn’t had much thought on in the past in the present they hurt more than they should have. It was then that Wei Wuxian finally jumped away from his seat, landing perfectly on the nearby windowsill.

“I'll get lost. I’m excellent at getting lost. No need to see me off!” With that Lan Wangji watched as Wei Wuxian hopped off the windowsill and began running off in the direction of the forest. Lan Wangji quickly followed suit, completely forgetting about the disciple who was posted outside awaiting for the pair to leave.

Wei Wuxian had no idea how good he was at getting lost, he’d been lost inside his mind for many years and would continue to be if he didn’t change something.

Chapter Text

Lan Sizhui had been lying in the field with the various rabbits for sometime now, Jingyi had left him alone in order to acquire some drinks. However, that had been various incense times ago. Deciding he’d waited long enough Sizhui began to make his way out of the field, to the dismay of the rabbits who’d enjoyed the warmth Sizhui brought. The fluff balls followed him all the way to the gate, just like they did with his father whenever he visited. Feeling bad for leaving the bunnies, Sizhui reached into the bucket which was left beside the rabbit pen holding carrots and other assortments of vegetables. They primarily lived off the grass in the pen alongside some hay which was also in their pen, but treating them to some veg every now and again wasn’t causing them too much harm.

“Young Master Lan!” A disciple called to the unsuspecting Sizhui, he jumped slightly at the name. It had only been a couple months after being officially announced the Lan Sect heir, so the title still bore a little more weight than Sizhui was used to.

“Lian Jie, what do I owe the pleasure?” Sizhui bowed in return, despite her countless rants Zhu Lian had yet to get Sizhui to stop bowing to her. Just like his father Lan Sizhui was persistent in respecting her with such a greeting.

“I have come to inform you of an incident which occurred between a Jin disciple and the Young master of the Bailing Ouyang Clan.” Despite the news she was giving Sizhui, Zhu Lian remained with a smile. “The Young Ouyang master was gravely injured, Lan Jingyi has taken him to the healers. The Jin disciple, Jin Qiang, has been detained elsewhere till the issue is resolved.” Lan Sizhui let a sigh escape his lips, they hadn’t even been here for a day and were causing such issues.

“Has Uncle been made aware of this?” Sizhui questioned as he began to traverse the pathways towards the infirmary where Jingyi would be.

“Sect Leader Lan is aware, however he believes it would be best if you were to resolve the problem yourself.” Zhu Lian seemed reluctant to admit those last few words, Sizhui wasn’t surprised by this fact. His Uncle was always giving him various tests in such oddly specific scenarios, if he didn’t know any better he’d believe his Uncle was shirking his duties. Although he knew that not to be true, after all Lan Xichen had learned to be a Sect leader whilst tackling a war. Something Sizhui would hopefully never have to endure in this lifetime.

“Are you aware as to how this incident occurred?” Sizhui began as he took a sharp right, there were too many disciples for his liking on the original path.

“I’m afraid not, however Lan Jingyi was at the scene longer than I had been. I had been looking for your mother when I came across the fight, well more like one sided beat down.” Sizhui nodded his head in understanding, his A-Niang did have a habit of wandering when he was bored, but Sizhui knew he wouldn’t leave the Cloud Recesses. One the barriers would stop him, second he wouldn’t leave Sizhui behind.

“Young Master Lan!” Lan Sizhui didn’t recognise this voice, he assumed it was one of the disciples who were attending the classes. However, he didn’t expect it to be the heir to the Jin Sect, Jin Ling.

“Young Master Jin, how may I help you?” Lan Sizhui bowed in respect to the man, Zhu Lian followed suit as she stayed silent beside Sizhui.

“My friend has gone missing.” Jin Ling panted slightly as he spoke, he ran from his room all the way to catch up with Sizhui. The young Lan overlooked the fact he’d broken one of the rules, after all he’d only been here a couple hours. A punishment wouldn’t be the best way to start off a friendship with the boy. “Ouyang Zizhen, he wears the Bailing Ouyang Clan robes.” That appeared to strike a chord with Zhu Lian.

“Wait, are you A-Rulan?” Jin Ling’s face darkened slightly at hearing someone he didn’t even know call him something so informal.

“How do you know that name?” His tone had moved from a kind, polite to a more irritated one. Lan Sizhui made a mental note to not irritate the Young Master Jin.

“Just before Young Master Ouyang passed out-” It was then that Jin Ling snapped and grabbed at Zhu Lian’s robes, the woman felt all her words fail her as her robes were pulled at. Jin Ling made it so they stood at eye level, Sizhui thought he was seeing things but he was sure the pair looked almost one in the same. Although Zhu Lian had softer features, Jin Ling was a guy after all so his features were slightly sharper but not by much.

“Where is he! Where is Zizhen!” Zhu Lian appeared to have completely shut down at this point, this surprised Sizhui. Zhu Lian had always been stubborn and determined in what she did despite who she would talk to, seeing her shut down like this hurt Sizhui in a way. Zhu Lian was like an auntie to him in a way, always looking out for him since he was younger.

“Young Master Jin, if you would please release Lian Jie. I can take you to the infirmary myself, I was just on my way there to resolve the issue between Young Master Ouyang and a Jin disciple of yours.” Realising his actions Jin Ling dropped his grip on Zhu Lian’s robes, bowing in apology before turning towards Sizhui.

“Was this disciple perhaps the name of Jin Qiang?” Jin Ling offered as he began walking with Sizhui, Zhu Lian trailed behind. She wasn’t in a fit state to convene anyway, it was as if she’d seen a ghost.

“I believe so, Lan Jingyi witnessed the event first hand. You would be better asking him for the details.” Jin Ling nodded in understanding, the rest of the journey was carried out in silence after all Jin Ling’s previous actions had made Sizhui second guess the Young Master Jin’s character. Sizhui was aware of his dual heritage, he was raised by the Jiang Sect leader and then later on in life began to study at the Jin Sect. Yet he had a member of the Bailing Ouyang Clan as his right hand. The boy was mystery upon mystery to Sizhui.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

“Zizhen!” Jin Ling called as he basically raced through the healer’s, when he laid eyes on Zizhen in his hospital bed he nearly cried in relief. However, he recalled where he was and held back his tears.

“A-Rulan? What are you doing here?” Zizhen questioned as he turned away from the window he’d been staring out of for the past twenty minutes.

“I came to find you, you weren’t in our room when I woke up.” Sizhui remained hidden in the shadows of the doorway whilst the two spoke, they appeared to have a peculiar relationship in his eyes. One that was closer than that of a Sect heir and disciple.

“Oh, something happened. I’ll be fine in about two or four weeks, the healers said so themselves.” Zizhen had a perfectly practised smile on his face while he spoke, Jin Ling didn’t have the heart to tell him he could tell he was still in pain.

“It was Jin Qiang again, wasn’t it?” Zizhen’s mask appeared to falter, if only for a second. Yet with a smile he continued.

“No, I fell down was all, the mountains here are dangerous. Lan Jingyi saved me.” Jin Ling knew he wouldn’t get much more out of his friend, he was always like this. He’d rather suffer in silence than burden Jin Ling with more problems and issues. Jin Ling sighed as he sat himself on the edge of Zizhen’s bed, knowing the best he could do was offer comfort he took Zizhen’s hand in his own.

“Just promise me you will get better, don’t push yourself too hard.” Zizhen smiled as he tightened his own hold on Jin Ling’s hand. It was just then that Lan Jingyi returned with water for himself and Zizhen.

“Sizhui, what are you-” Sizhui slapped a hand against his friend's mouth in order to silence him, it was a bit harsher than he had intended but he was curious about the two’s relationship. As well as this strange phantom pain which appeared to be wrapping itself around his chest.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

“A-Yuan!” The boy was deaf to the individual who called to him as he continued his repeated pattern of sword strikes, each one as precise as the last. If anyone was to watch him he’d say he was an almost exact replica of Lan Wangji, although certain moves were completely foreign. As if it was two fighting styles imbued into one.

“A-YUAN!” The person had called a total of five times until Sizhui had noticed, however when he saw it was his A-Niang he completely abandoned what he was doing as he bounded over to the man. Tackling him with a hug, thankfully not taking him to the ground this time.

“Has my little radish gone deaf?” Wei Wuxian questioned as he tugged lightly at Sizhui’s ears, the boy leaned back slightly as he swatted his mothers had away. As he rubbed his now slightly sore ear Sizhui spoke.

“Not deaf, simply focused.” Sizhui’s smile brightened as he looked towards Wei Wuxian; he had thought it odd that his mother was wandering about the bamboo groves alone. But presumed he’d escaped his fathers watchful eye, or whoever had been watching him.

“Well, you should be more careful. It is good to be focused, but not too focused you misinterpret your surroundings.” Wei Wuxian ruffled Sizhui’s hair before releasing him from the hug, he quickly made his way over to Sizhui’s sword. It had remained unnamed since he’d received it, Sizhui stated it was best left like that. Wei Wuxian had cracked a joke at the time explaining that his own sword had been named ‘Suibian’ on the unfortunate account of the person who’d arranged his sword misinterpreting his words. Afterwards Wei Wuxian had ended up in a lost state, this typically happened when he made note of something which didn’t make sense to the fragments of his memory he had.

“Have you only learned solely Gusu Lan techniques?” Wei Wuxian questioned as he adjusted the sword in his hand, it had been too long since he’d held one. Lan Wangji had forbidden him from touching a single blade for unknown reasons.

“Mainly, but A-Die has taught me some unique techniques! Can I show you?” Wei Wuxian swiftly turned on his heels as he handed the sword back to his son, he was excited to see techniques outside of the ones he’d seen of the Lan Sect. Sizhui began with simplistic movements, ones that if they were to be used in combat would allow for the opponent to dodge with ease. Then it began to become more complex, as Sizhui began to drag his body lower. As if he was sweeping the opponent off their feet, he then moved forward into various graceful leaps which appeared to be in a distinct pattern. Like dancing along an ice lake, not waiting for too long unless one wanted to be plunged into the icy depths.

“A-Yuan…” Wei Wuxian uttered out, the steps he’d been doing was a technique he knew. A technique he’d practised many times, one he knew no-one else knew. It was a sword technique he’d developed himself and only used against one person.

“What do you think A-Niang?” Sizhui was ecstatic that was one of the few times he’d been able to get every step perfect just as his father had shown him.

“A-Niang?” Wei Wuxian had grabbed at the length of hair he had, twisting it between his fingers as he muttered to himself.

“Those steps, I made those steps. But only he… He couldn’t have learned them so easily… He was of the Lan Sect… But who was he… Why can’t I remember his face!” He began to pull at his hair which immediately sent Sizhui into a panic.

“A-Niang! Don’t do that!” Sizhui tossed his sword aside as he raced to his mothers side, his father had told him Wei Wuxian had developed the habit of pulling at his hair when something didn’t make sense to him. He’d also hit his head in an attempt to try and jumpstart his memory, it never appeared to work though.

“A-Yuan, who taught you those moves? Did I teach you?” Sizhui shook his head despite his confusion, the moves had always seemed as something insignificant to himself.

“A-Die did. Why, what’s wrong?” Sizhui was getting worried now, he had just wanted to show his mother some new moves he’d managed to perfect and now he’d sent him into a loop of unanswered questions.

“Your father? Hanguan-Jun?” Sizhui nodded, it was always disheartening to hear his mother be so formal with his father. He had a faint memory in his mind of when he was a kid, sitting in a restaurant with the pair of them. Watching as both of them had such happy expressions, Wei Wuxian had practically been leant against the man with how close he was acting, that was one of the reasons he’d begun to call them his mother and father.

“A-Yuan, what is Hanguan-Jun’s name?” Sizhui was dumbfounded, he knew his mothers memory had deteriorated but he assumed he would at least know his fathers name. But with how Wei Wuxian was grasping at his robe he knew this was something detrimental to him.

“Lan Wangji, he has another name but I can’t recall it. No one ever calls him by his birth name, it’s always Hanguan-Jun. Lan-er-gongzi once or twice.” That caught Wei Wuxian’s attention, the memory he’d managed to grasp hold of earlier. He’d called the man Lan-er-gongzi, as well as another name but what was it? If he heard it he would remember.

“Wei Ying.” Someone called.

“No! That’s my name! What was his name!” Wei Wuxian didn’t even realise that the one he’d snapped at was Lan Wangji himself.

“A-Die, what are you doing out here?” Sizhui questioned as he turned to face his father, Wei Wuxian seemed to recognise what was happening now.

“Hanguan-Jun!” Wei Wuxian panicked immediately, falling into a bow as a form of apology.

“I apologise for my misspoken words,” Wei Wuxian’s forehead had hit the ground at an impeccable speed Lan Sizhui and Lan Wangji worried slightly that he may have given himself a concussion. Or worse. “This lowly one hopes you will forgive him.” Sizhui saw the pain in his fathers eyes, Wei Wuxian was speaking as if he was a lowly servant yet not once whilst he’d been living in the Cloud Recesses had he been treated in that manner.

“Wei Ying, I-” Lan Wangji began as he lowered himself to Wei Wuxian’s level, resting a hand on his shoulder to try and get him to sit upright.

“No. You shouldn’t address me so familiarly Hanguan-Jun, please call me Wei Wuxian.” Without even knowing it Wei Wuxian had stabbed another blade right through Lan Wangji’s already broken heart. The only evidence was of a single tear falling from his right eye, so silent and noticeable that not even Lan Wangji himself knew he’d cried it.

“A-Niang, A-Die cares about you. Please don’t make him address you so informally.” Sizhui begged, he had to stop this if he had any hope of his father not breaking down at this exact moment. Despite what everyone thought of the great Hanguan-Jun, he was very easily breakable. He’d only seen it once, but when Sizhui had been ever so young Lan Wangji had broken down right before his eyes, holding his hand as tears poured from his eyes. It was a memory he wished he could forget.

“Why do you call him your father? He wasn’t there for us? He let Wen Qing and Wen Ning be killed! He let them… He let them all…” Wei Wuxian began to hug himself as he stepped away from the pair, his mind began playing loops of images. Things he shouldn’t have been aware of, events that never happened. Or did they?

“A-Niang, are you-” Sizhui extended a hand forwards in an attempt to try and stabilise Wei Wuxian.

“SHUT UP!” Sizhui snapped his arm back in an instant, this wasn’t Wei Wuxian, or at least it wasn’t the one Sizhui had known. But it was one Lan Wangji had seen.

“SHUT UP! GET THE HELL OUT! I’M IN CONTROL! NOT YOU!” Wei Wuxian began to grasp at his head, the voices had finally managed to crawl back into his mind. And Wei Wuxian wasn’t equipped with the correct mindset to deal with them.

“Hanguan-Jun! Lan Wangji! Help me!” Tears had begun to fall from Wei Wuxian’s eyes as he tried to grasp the parts of himself. Snapping out of the trace Lan Wangji had been in he immediately pulled his Guqin from his Qiankun pouch, but just as he was about to play the first note he stopped. 

Would this kill Wei Wuxian?

A memory of Lan Wangji’s from years long gone played through his mind, of a simple discussion between Wen Qing and himself when she’d been alive. And a promise he’d made to her.

┏━━━◥◣◆◢◤━━━━┓

“A-Yuan come back!” Wei Wuxian hollered before he began racing after the three year old, A-Yuan had managed to make his way into Wei Wuxian’s workshop where all sorts of dangerous things had been stored.

“He really is reckless, leaving things out.” Wen Qing complained aloud to Lan Wangji who was drinking the simple water he’d been offered. He wasn’t one to complain, after all the Wen’s had nothing behind their name. Also who was to complain with suitable company instead of a more tolerable drink.

“Wei Ying has always been this way, jumping from one thought to another. No care for repercussions.” Lan Wangji answered without much thought. Wen Qing paused as she looked at the man in shock.

“So you can speak.” There was a sly smile playing on her lips, Lan Wangji knew she wanted him to rise to the bait.

“Mm.” With such a simplistic answer again Wen Qing sighed in exasperation, despite her uptight attitude she did like to have a moment of leniency every now and again.

“Wei Ying has spoken of you often, he must think highly of you then.” Wen Qing swirled the small bit of water she had remaining in her cup before downing it.

“Mm, Wei Ying has my respect as well.” The conversation wasn’t going exactly as she had planned it to, knowing she had to approach the topic in an alternative way she began to ponder aloud.

“Are you aware that the resentment is bound to his body, possibly even his soul?” That caught Lan Wangji off guard, he assumed that the resentment was bound to something but he always predicted that it was Chenqing.

“If you attempted to strip the resentment away from him I am almost certain it’d kill him. In a way it protects him, although the souls that come with it are definitely a negative. I wonder if it has anything to do with what happened…” Wen Qing had begun muttering to herself at this point, it was then she suggested a question whilst leaving her seat.

“Are you aware of his childhood?” Wen Qing poached the question, she’d stopped just shy of outside the cave. From where she stood you could clearly see Wei Wuxian playing his flute whilst sat cross legged on a rock, A-Yuan running in circles in an attempt to capture the tendril of resentment. The sight brought a smile to the ice wall that was Wen Qing, Lan Wangji thought she’d fit in perfectly well with many of the Lan ladies back in Gusu.

“Raised by the late Jiang Fengmian and Yu Ziyuan, alongside Jiang Cheng and Jiang Yanli.” Wen Qing nodded her head in understanding as she continued to watch the pair.

“That’s the version the cultivation world is aware of.” This confused Lan Wangji slightly, was there an alternative version?

“You are aware of his mother, Cangse Sanren. His father, Wei Changze. Are you aware of their demise?” Lan Wangji nodded, he’d heard the tragic tale of how the pair had been killed by fierce corpses leaving the young Wei Wuxian to fend for himself until Jiang Fengmian had located him.

“Then are you aware that their bodies lay just below our feet?” It felt as if the breeze in the air had increased, dropping the temperature to well below comfortable. Lan Wangji was under the assumption Wei Wuxian was unaware of where his actual parents were, the one time he’d overheard Nie Huisang asking Wei Wuxian such a question the answer had been he was unaware of what happened.

“Lies.” Lan Wangji answered calmly, despite not knowing Wei Wuxian as well as he wished he knew he wouldn't lie about something like this.

“Then, Second Young Master Lan, please do tell me where the infamous couple Cangse Sanren and Wei Changze ended up? People were aware of who they were, they’d helped countless villages whilst on their travels. Yet no body was found?” Lan Wangji knew it better to stay silent and allow Wen Qing to finish rattling off the facts. “Two strong capable cultivators gone without a trace, and their son just so happens to roam the streets of Yiling? Do tell me Lan Wangji, two parents who despite probably being the worst people to raise a child, would willingly abandon their son?” With all the facts lined up in a row, it did begin to paint an unfortunate picture. A picture that shouldn’t have been able to be painted by Wen Qing, she wasn’t someone who was a central piece to all this. She wasn’t even there, unless…

Lan Wangji turned to look at the woman who was still focused on the enthusiastic pair; she had a smile to her lips but her eyes said otherwise, the look of a time she wished she was at once more.

“I saw them only once. The memory is quite fuzzy now, it was thirteen years ago after all.” Lan Wangji patiently listened to Wen Qing’s explanation whilst Wen Yuan’s laughter could be heard in the background alongside Wei Wuxian’s faint melody on the flute, it sounded almost like a lullaby.

“My parents wanted to show A-Ning and me Qianshan, so we went on a family trip. Checking in on various medical practices along the way, my mother was an infamous doctor within the Wen Clan. Although that was probably due to our link to the main Wen branch. Either way, when we’d visited the small village within Yiling I’d grown bored of listening to my mother’s lectures so made my way outside. That’s when I saw the three of them, I saw a cloaked figure run a sword through Wei Changze.” Lan Wangji was horrified at this information, the couple had been murdered in cold blood. Meanwhile their son had been left to watch and suffer afterwards.

“It was then that the individual had uttered something to their companion at the time, I watched as they blew a powder amongst the three of them. I later learned this to have been a type of corpse poison, I believe you are aware of this type of poison?” Lan Wangji nodded in understanding, any cultivator would be aware of this. It was common when one would be fighting corpses, even a regular doctor would be able to cure it. That was if it was caught early enough.

“Eventually the residents of the village had found the group, do you want to know what they did with them when they realised they had all been infected? They killed Cangse Sanren. A single line.” Wen Qing pointed towards Lan Wangji’s neck, her nail just a millimetre away as she drew a line across to prove her point. “A blunt blade, to end her life. And Wei Wuxian, left to the streets. His odds? Little to none, but who could bring themselves to kill a kid?” Lan Wangji thought the woman’s words over, Wei Wuxian had been left to die. Left to be another misfortunate soul to perish on the streets.

“Why…” Was the only word Lan Wangji had managed to speak, the boy who had lived his whole life with a smile across his lips had suffered more than anyone dared to speak.

“Why is he alive?” Wen Qing questioned, his question hadn’t been the most exact one.

“Why not finish the job.”

“To have less blood on their blade? Because they felt pity for killing her husband so left Wei Wuxian? No, I think it was to let her suffer. There have been few recordings of people succumbing to corpse poisoning, after all, it is a simple thing to cure. But the few who have, have been known to have gone mad. To kill anything which is within reach to them. Whoever killed the Wei family had a target, Wei Wuxian had simply been collateral damage.” The words hung in the air as Lan Wangji thought everything over, although he couldn’t comprehend what happened to Wei Wuxian’s parents he understood one thing. Wei Wuxian was giving Wen Yuan the one thing he couldn’t have.

“And Wen Yuan?” Lan Wangji prompted, it was at this point Wei Wuxian took note of the pair. Giving an enthusiastic smile, waving with his right hand whilst still holding the flute in his left.

“His parents were killed before we even got to the camp. There was a man from a small clan, I think his name was something ‘yang’. Saw our Wen Sect robes, grabbed hold of the first person he saw and killed her to make an example, that sadly happened to be my cousin's wife. When he found out he sought revenge, left A-Yuan in the hands of Granny Wen and left.” Lan Wangji made a pretty good guess as to what happened to the man.

“This isn’t going to last.” Wen Qing sighed as she placed her hands against her hips, Lan Wangji waited until she continued. “I know we will be able to make a living here, Wei Wuxian has helped us make such progress. But I know the people of the cultivation world will not sit idly by and let us live. We’re a risk. A risk of the Wen Sect returning.” Despite wishing she was wrong, Lan Wangji knew Wen Qing was right. There were various rumours of what the Wen remnants were actually up to within the Burial Mounds.

“How can I help?” There wasn’t a single sound of doubt within his voice as he spoke, Lan Wangji knew he was influential enough to make a change towards people. If he wasn’t he could always influence his brother, if needs be.

“Not us. Lan-er-gongzi, we are on borrowed time. However,” Wen Qing turned towards Lan Wangji as she spoke, simply pointing towards the pair which were bathed in the sunlight. He hadn’t realised it till now but even Wen Qing herself remained within the shadows, not once throughout their conversation did she move herself into the light. Just as all the other Wen remnants were hidden within the confines of the cave, eating and discussing topics, they remained bathed in shadows. “You mustn’t let them suffer for our mistakes.”

┗━━━◢◤◆◥◣━━━━┛

Changing his tactic Lan Wangji began to play Evocation on his guqin, however when whichever spirit which had attempted to possess Wei Wuxian heard such a tone struck out a tendril of resentful energy. Snapping either a bone or a solid amount of muscles rendering Lan Wangji’s hand unresponsive, the Guqin fell to the ground with a solid thud. Although undamaged Lan Wangji was unable to play it

“A-Die!” Lan Sizhui cried out as he made his way to his fathers side, he’d never seen anything like this before with resentful energy. Although there had never been a case like Wei Wuxian’s before.

“A-Yuan, play the song.” Lan Wangji instructed as he forced his son behind him, without wasting a second Sizhui began to play the tune that was WangXian , although Sizhui was still oblivious to what the name of the song really meant.

With his hand practically wasted Lan Wangji used the only instrument he had remaining, his voice. He began humming the tune of the melody as Sizhui perfectly played alongside, he’d learned this song to perfection, it was second nature to play it. The spirits attempting to possess Wei Wuxian wouldn’t lash out at this melody, it wouldn’t harm them after all. But it would hopefully bolster Wei Wuxian’s strength, after all he knew this song. Lan Wangji had heard the man whistle the song countless times.

The duo played the song a total of three times until Wei Wuxian began to show signs of recognition, the wave of resentful energy slowly decreasing until Lan Wanji could actually grab hold of the man.

“Wei Ying,” He managed to gasp out whilst his good hand grabbed hold of Wei Wuxian’s own. “You don’t know who I am, but I know you. Fight it!” A glimpse of recognition passed through Wei Wuxian’s eyes, he’d heard the voice. A voice of familiarity, a voice of safety. A voice of home…

“Lan Zhan…” Wei Wuxian whispered out, he knew who the man was. The one that had been haunting him in so many memories, the faceless Lan. “Lan Zhan I-” Wei Wuxian was silenced, not by Lan Wangji, not by Lan Sizhui. But by an escaped convict, Lan Qiren himself.

Chapter Text

“Here is your water Zizhen.” Jingyi stated, the pair jumped away from one another as if they had been caught in some scandalous act. Jingyi had already seen the pair grab hold of their hands and tighten their grasp, if they wanted to hide their actions it was a little late.

“Thank you.” Zizhen nodded his head in thanks whilst he took the small cup, Jingyi carefully placed the tray he held the water jug and his own cup on the nearby table as he settled into the seat beside it. Jin Ling had taken his previous spot on the bed.

“I’m assuming you are A-Rulan?” Jingyi prompted as he crossed his leg across his other one, he made a mental note to sit properly before someone else came in.

“Jin Ling is fine, I assume you are Lan Jingyi who saved Zizhen from his ‘fall’?” Jingyi nodded his head in agreement, he could feel Zizhen’s piercing eyes on him. Despite him being injured Jingyi wasn’t taking the chance of him still being able to beat him in a fight.

“Lan Jingyi, could you perhaps show me where I could get something to eat. It was a long trip from Lanling.” Jingyi nodded in understanding, it sounded like such an innocent request. Yet why could he feel Zizhen’s piercing gaze burn into his back?

The pair began to leave the infirmary to Zizhen’s dismay, resigned to his fate Zizhen fell backwards onto his pillow. Why couldn’t he avoid causing additional issues for Jin Ling?

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

“The kitchen’s are just this wa-” Jingyi was rudely interrupted by Jin Ling slamming him against a nearby wall, they’d only just left the infirmary yet Jin Ling’s patience for answers had grown thin.

“What actually happened?” Despite the prior promise Jingyi had made to Zizhen he had a feeling his actual friend would very easily gut him right here if he didn’t get the answers he wanted.

“Put me down princess and I’ll tell you!” Despite being of the Lan Sect Jingyi had always failed at following the rules, shouting was the one he had the habit of dismissing the most.

“Princess?” Jin Ling had yet to release his hold of Jingyi yet, but he had at least lowered him so he stood on his own two feet once more.

“Well you look like one of my senior’s, she’s just as pretty as you.” This was the second time someone had called him pretty over handsome, Jin Ling was beginning to suspect it wasn’t just people’s odd choice of wording.

“Okay, enough with the nicknames. What happened?” Jin Ling finally released the boy, allowing Jingyi to straighten out his robes the best he could before speaking.

“Well, I was searching for a senior of mine when I came across Zizhen. Apparently something had occurred beforehand and he had stopped it.” Jingyi began to recount the events to an irritated Jin Ling, this wasn’t the complete story he wanted.

“Did your senior not tell you what happened?” Jin Ling sharply questioned, Jingyi quickly shook his head.

“He’s not exactly all there,” Jingyi pointed to his head as his wrist spun circles, Jin Ling quickly got the message without further question. That was a relief to Jingyi, he didn’t need further questions, after all that was simply misleading as he couldn’t outright lie. “If you tried to ask him about it I’d doubt he’d remember, he doesn’t even know my name half the time.” Despite what he wanted Jin Ling nodded his head in understanding, Jin Ling extended a hand as if to gesture Jingyi to continue.

“Anyways, after speaking with him briefly he wandered off like he does. That was when that Jin bastard came crashing in, his nose looked like it had been bleeding. He started saying things like ‘Your saviour ran off’ and ‘lapdog’, does that mean anything to you?” Jin Ling’s fist curled in on itself upon hearing that, these were issues that should have remained at Golden Carp tower.

“Continue.” Jin Ling seethed, Jingyi was worried he was going to have to send the Jin heir to the infirmary if things got problematic.

“Then the guy called me a ‘stone faced Lan’ and told me to ‘Screw off’, I told him he could take his words back and leave us in peace. Zizhen already looked like he was struggling to stand at the time so I wanted to get him checked out.” Jin Ling felt his stomach churn with guilt at hearing that; he was the one who made Zizhen come on the trip to Gusu. But he had no choice, not after what they did when Jin Ling had only merely stated about Zizhen joining him on the trip.

“The guy decided to throw me into a pillar, my back still hurts from that.” Jingyi complained as he appeared to crack his back, Jin Ling began to fear how much irreparable damage his foolish disciples had done. He wanted to make the Jin Sect look slightly bad with the poorly thought out gift, but this much disrespect was too far.

“Are you okay?” Jin Ling tried to offer some form of sympathy, although he thought it might have sounded a little fake.

“Nah, I think I damaged the pillar more than it damaged me.” Jingyi joked with a smile, obviously he didn’t think the sympathy sounded fake.

“While I was recovering from the impact I could hear the faint sound of a scream, it was like he was holding it in. That bastard had stomped down on poor Zizhen’s leg, but I’ll give him his credit. Zizhen made it look like it didn’t bother him. Well at least at the start.” Jin Ling had thought it strange the Lan swearing but the amount of rules he’d already broken he didn’t think much of it, hearing of Zizhen’s suffering however quickly made any amusement disappear.

“Then he began spouting off about having two Lan’s wrapped around his finger, in honesty the guy he saw before technically isn’t a Lan. And he’s wrapped around no-one's finger, well maybe Sizhui.” Jin Ling wondered who this Sizhui boy was but put the thought to the back of his mind. “He continued blathering saying he seduced us with his ‘skills’, he briefly mentioned you by saying you would follow anything he asked for.” Throughout relaying all the facts Jingyi failed to notice as Jin Ling’s nails dug into his palm whilst he controlled his anger.

“Zizhen attempted to defend himself, but that bastard twisted his leg into what should have been inhumanly possible. That was when Zizhen began to cry, he basically screamed. It gave me chills, made it sound as if he was dying in a way.” Jin Ling continued to restrain his anger as he listened, he knew if he lost his focus for a second he’d take his anger out on the closest person which was currently Jingyi.

“The guy then began spouting more lies,” Well Jingyi hoped they had been lies, otherwise he might grow concerned about what was actually between the two of them. “By this point I’d recovered enough to get back at him, however, I forgot to take into account the cliffside nearby.” Jingyi gave an awkward laugh as he rubbed the back of his head, despite how calm and collected he’d appeared at the time he had undoubtedly panicked at the initial fall.

“But I grabbed my sword and pulled myself and the bastard to safety, you should have seen the look on his face. He looked like he was going to wet himself.” Jingyi let out a laugh that was most definitely unLan like. Jingyi quickly faltered in his laugh when Jin Ling bowed in respect to him, poor Jingyi began to panic at the gesture.

“Young Master Jin, please don’t act in this way. I did what anyone else would have done.” Jin Ling raised his head hearing Jingyi’s words, he was right but again Jingyi was the only one to have intervened.

“No, nobody else would have acted. Lan Jingyi, are you aware of what a deserter is?” Jin Ling prompted, Jingyi began to regain his composure as he nodded.

“Someone who abandons a group or cause. But it's not common, many people who do join another Clan or Sect to avoid being scorned. Unless they become a wandering cultivator.” Jingyi began to wonder why Jin Ling was asking him this, after all everyone in the Cloud Recesses belonged to a Clan or Sect. Even Wei Wuxian who wasn’t in his right mind technically belonged to the Gusu Lan Sect.

“Zizhen… Is a deserter…” Jin Ling muttered out only just loud enough for Jingyi to hear, things began to make sense for the elder. The mistreatment, the out of place uniform.

“But why? The pair of you are so close, why not have him join your Jin Sect?” Jin Ling let a loose laugh leave his lips hearing that, if only it was that simple.

“You think I haven’t suggested it? Or even joining the Jiang Sect, that would be safer!” Jin Ling declared, he still had the desire to punch something after hearing Jin Qiang’s actions.

“Why would the Jiang Sect be any safer? The Jin Sect is the most powerful out of the four Sect’s.” Jingyi questioned as he began to move away from Jin Ling slightly, he still feared for his safety.

“Powerful? Yes. Corrupt? Also, yes.” Jin Ling calmly listed as he watched the realisation slowly cross Jingyi’s face.

“Young Master Jin, if I may ask… Why are you informing me of this?” It felt like Jin Ling was letting personal details be known, something Jingyi, someone who was outsider to this, had no need for such insight.

“I, don’t… Know…” Jin Ling slowly responded. Jingyi hadn’t really done anything to be privy to this information. Yes he saved Zizhen, but as he had previously stated he was only doing what he perceived which was right, as much as he broke the rules he was a Lan at heart and blood. Before Jingyi could question further Jin Ling let loose an incredible punch to the nearest wall, Jingyi had only been a mere few centimetres away. The elder considered Jin Ling’s strength to be on par with Sizhui’s.

“Much better.” Jin Ling declared, his hand looked unphased from the punch. Meanwhile the wall wasn’t as lucky as pieces of porcelain began to crumble away.

“How about I actually show you to the kitchen now?” Jingyi recommended, part of him wanted to run and hide behind Sizhui before Jin Ling took a swing at him.

It was as the two boys turned to leave that a series of bells began to ring out across the Cloud Recesses, it wasn’t a calm rhythm like most of the Lan disciples recognised as the signal for them to rise in the morning and to rest at night. It was a repetitive one, one might have thought it sounded melodic. Like that of a chorus of angels, each perfectly timed and in sync with one another. But those which resided within the otherwise peaceful grounds of the Cloud Recesses knew otherwise, it was a signal of danger. One of foreboding and warning of things yet to come. Yet Jingyi heard it as a cry of the devil, for this specific ringing signalled the escape of a prisoner. There was currently only a single prisoner which resided with the Cloud Recesses. Lan Qiren.

“Shit.”

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

“Lan Jingyi, where are you going?” Jin Ling questioned whilst he attempted to keep up with Lan Jingyi, despite them being of similar level of cultivation Jingyi was much more adept whilst flying.

“I have to find Sizhui.” Jingyi repeated for what was the third time, Jin Ling had no idea who this Sizhui was. He presumed it to be another disciple of which Jingyi was close with, perhaps a sibling of his? Maybe sworn sibling, Jin Ling wondered if he would refer to them as Shige or Shidi.

“Sizhui!” Jingyi began to cry out as he hovered on his sword above the entirety of the Cloud Recesses, probably too high for Jin Ling’s liking, all the pair could see was the various Lan disciples running throughout the place in search of the perpetrator. In a matter such as this most rules would have been disregarded. The visitors of the various Clan’s had also been rerouted to their respective rooms until further notice, meanwhile Zizhen was left alone within the confines of the infirmary watching as various disciples ran past the window unable answer his queries as to what was happening.

“SIZHUI!” Jingyi practically hollered at the top of his lungs, his fear was beginning to increase rapidly at his unanswered calls.

“Yuan!” Jingyi finally cried, he knew he shouldn’t address him so informally. After all the two were friends, nothing more. But Jingyi did fear for him, he’d seen first hand what happened that day and he wasn’t willing to let history repeat itself.

It was then that Jingyi took notice of a group of white blurs traversing throughout the bamboo forest, but something wasn’t right. Why was there red mixed amongst the various whites? And why was there an additional white blur pursuing them? It was then that Jingyi realised.

“Sizhui…” Before Jin Ling could ask any further questions Jingyi began to plummet downwards at a rapid speed. Jingyi had cut off any spiritual energy traversing throughout his sword, once at a level he deemed fit Jingyi reinstated his spiritual energy to begin his pursuit. Jin Ling lagged a while behind as he attempted to keep up, he couldn’t afford to sit idly by.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

~ Five minutes before the alarm began ~

Lan Qiren’s sword had cleanly pierced through Wei Wuxian’s heart, however he hadn’t realised the sword also pierced through Lan Wangji’s chest.

“A-Niang! A-Die!” Sizhui basically screamed as he began to make his way over to his parents, however a quick movement of Lan Wangji’s hand had halted his movements. Not through the use of spiritually energy which Lan Wangji was intending to do, that was when a raucous laughter was let loose from Lan Qiren himself. 

“You will no longer have the liberty to use your spiritual energy as you wish, Lan Zhan!” That struck as odd to the man, not many people had addressed him as his birth name throughout his life. However, one specific memory of Lan Wangji’s came to mind.

┏━━━◥◣◆◢◤━━━━┓

“Lan Zhan, I suggest you stop struggling. Wei Ying has been waiting for you for a long time.” Wen Chao cackled through his teeth, the stench of blood and corpses was fresh to Lan Wangji and Jiang Cheng’s senses. Having fought off wave after wave of Wen soldiers in the assault had led to them being weakened and Jiang Cheng in a now precarious situation that both males had expected to end in a worse case scenario. Lan Wangji himself was struggling to remain on his feet, his spiritual energy spent strumming various notes across the now tattered and destroyed strings of his guqin. His fingers ceaselessly flowing blood, giving his hands not a second of rest in the fight. Although it seems his body had finally given in to the strain, forcing his guqin to the ground. Jiang Cheng was hauled to his feet by two Wen Sect disciples, with his hands restrained he was forced to stand mere metres away from Wen Chao who was stationed within Wen Zhuli’s bubble of protection. Jiang Cheng felt as every single muscle of his froze in fear of being within such proximity to the ‘Core Melting Hand’, he’d suffered a fate he’d considered worse than death before from him. He wasn’t willing to go through it again, not in this life or the next. Lan Wangji remained opposite to the Second Young Master Wen, unable to make a single move with his and Jiang Cheng’s position. Only able to scowl at the man whilst also feeling his heart strings being played with at the mention of Wei Wuxian’s name, especially a bastard like Wen Chao addressing him so informally.

“When you’re dead, you can go down to hell and join him.” That hit a crucial nerve of both Lan Wangji and Jiang Cheng. The latter beginning to struggle against the Wen soldiers holding him in restraint.

“What do you mean?” Jiang Cheng snapped, he wouldn’t admit it but there was an underlying fear laced within his voice.

“What do I mean?” Wen Chao practically laughed in a mocking tone, he knew he had Lan Wangji and Jiang Cheng exactly where he wanted them. It was only a matter of time till he sentenced them both to a miserable death. He had time to play with them a little longer.

“I heard you guys are still looking for him.” Before the others could process his words the mad Wen Chao let loose a maddening laugh, curling in on himself as he continued to laugh at their misery. However, his laugh cut short just as quickly, the snide look crossing over his face.

“Don’t waste your time, you’re not gonna find him.” Wen Chao declared as he watched the two young masters faces contort with anger and confusion.

“Where is Wei Ying?” Lan Wangji managed to spit out, is fist curling within itself. He had managed to restrain his anger, although he was at the end of his rope. He had no more patience left to give.

“I threw Wei Wuxian into the Burial Mounds long ago.” Wen Chao answered without much thought, Wen Zhuli had turned his focus to the Young Master Jiang at this point making the boy in question feel his heartbeat quicken in fear of what the unsympathetic man would do. He’d killed his parents without mercy, what was to say he wouldn’t do the same to him and then complete his mission and go after Yanli as well. “I’m afraid by now, there's nothing left of his bones.” Wen Chao admitted to a now breathless Lan Wangji, to say the second jade was known for his withheld emotions, in that moment he looked as if he could have died. Like someone had ripped his beating heart from his chest and presented it before him, although Lan Wangji would have preferred that over what he was hearing. In one last assault Lan Wangji grabbed hold of the tattered remains of his guqin, launching into the air delivering a sharp piercing note towards his enemies. Yet Wen Zhuli easily dismissed the attack with a simple flick of his wrist, the remains of his attack sent Lan Wangji flying backwards; sending him even farther than where he’d been positioned prior to his attack. His arm now wounded, guqin far from his reach, it was here that Lan Wangji had prepared for his end.

┗━━━◢◤◆◥◣━━━━┛

As Lan Wangji thought it over many things began to make sense. The actions against Sizhui, the absolute disregard for rules. Although difficult Lan Wangji knew his Uncle wouldn’t outright attack his son without proper reason, yes he disliked the boy slightly but not enough to cause bodily harm. Not unless influenced by another source.

“Wen Chao!” Lan Wangji hollered, he wouldn’t think he’d ever have to use that name again, not after he’d listened as the man had been destroyed both body and soul.

“You must have figured it out by now? Hmm, Lan Zhan. How it must pain you to see the man who raised you not only harm the one you call family, the one you call a son. But also to kill the man who you risk everything to keep alive.” The man spat, although he knew it was the spirit of Wen Chao hearing Lan Qiren’s voice was incredibly off putting.

“How is this possible?” Lan Wangji seethed as he pulled the sword ever so carefully from his own chest, the movement wasn’t noticeable as the sword hadn’t pierced too deep into his body. But the pain and blood was still a future issue that Lan Wangji would have to concern himself with later, probably followed by a lecture from Lan Xichen. But in Lan Wangji’s defence he had no reason to be on guard within his own home.

“I have to thank Wei Ying for making this possible, the suffering I endured allowed my soul to collect so much resentment that it gave me an astral form if you will. I couldn’t interact with objects or people mind you, that was until I found a host.” Wen Chao brought Lan Qiren’s arm up before quickly clasping the man’s hand shut, there was a faint show of blue spiritual light at the ends of his fingers. Although the few wisps of black resentment were apparent, Lan Wangji began to fear the effects of not only possession but the use of resentment energy in a body not accustomed to such a thing. Lan Wangji had seen first hand the side effects resentment could have if not regulated properly or controlled the utmost degree.

“Although, the host had to have a specific condition. The hatred of a Wen, more specifically the hatred of a living Wen.” Wen Chao announced, his eyes settling on the young Sizhui who appeared confused. However, Sizhui remained calm, he had to either help his parents or find someone who could. Which would be slightly difficult without leaving the confines of the bamboo forest.

“What do you hope to achieve?” Lan Wangji declared, despite being freed from the sword, his spiritual energy was still temporarily sealed. He couldn’t just take Wei Wuxian and escape on Bichen where Lan Qiren, or Wen Chao, could follow.

“Simple, to let him suffer just like he made me. If I’m able to cause more damage to the Lan Sect in the process then that's a bonus.” Wen Chao admitted, although his focus was more on Sizhui than the slow suffering of Wei Wuxian. The man appeared in a comatose state, yet his eyes were wide with fear or pain. Either way Lan Wangji deduced it wasn’t good for the latter's health.

“Wen Yuan, to think this wouldn’t have been possible without you surviving?” Wen Chao admitted, causing Sizhui to freeze at the mention of his birth name. But it was the wrong surname, well he assumed he’d used the wrong surname.

“Who is this Wen Yuan you speak of!” Sizhui basically shouted atop his lungs, he had been managing to keep his fear under wraps but it had come out in anger somehow. Lan Wangji felt reminiscent of Wei Wuxian seeing A-Yuan like this, he really was a combination of the pair of them. “My name is Lan Yuan or better yet Lan Sizhui, heir to the Lan Sect.” He declared with pride, to say the boy had been doubting whether he was worthy of the title of Sect heir; he seemed ready to announce the title now.

“Impressive, you’ve managed to secure a powerful title there. Yet I’m offended you haven’t told the boy of his heritage Lan Zhan.” Wen Chao had seemed impressed to begin with, but soon turned to anger towards the man. Lan Wangji had been intending to inform A-Yuan of his heritage, of who his parents truly were. But with the incident, then Wei Wuxian’s awakening on top of his duties within the Sect Lan Wangji had wanted to gather more information prior to telling him. Although that wasn’t an option anymore.

“A-Die, he’s lying right?” A-Yuan looked towards his father in hopes of this being a hoax, that this wasn’t his doing the way Lan Qiren had acted. He wasn’t related to the Wen Sect who had performed deeds so unspeakable that some documentations of the late Wen Sect had been deemed unsuitable for the disciples to read. Lan Wangji couldn’t look his son in the eyes, he also couldn’t lie to him. Not due to the Sect rules, but because he knew his son deserved to know and lying to him would just make matters worse. Sizhui drew a sharp breath at his fathers reluctance to respond. It was then Wen Chao released an outrageous laughter.

“Lan Zhan, you’ve hidden this secret from the boy for thirteen years. The truth about his lineage, about the blood that runs through his veins!” Sizhui felt his stomach churn at hearing this, he couldn’t be related to the wretched Wen Sect. He couldn’t be, he couldn’t be. Could he? Lan Zhan spared a glance at his son, watching as the fear creeped along his features, the realisation dawning on him.

“He lies A-Yuan,” Lan Wangji stated, snapping the boy from his incessant spiral. “You are from the Dafan Wen’s, they were medics. Doctors. I knew you’re aunt personally and she would never have wanted you to believe the lies a dead man is spouting.” Lan Wangji’s voice had turned to spite towards the end, aimed directly at Wen Chao, however the man began to laugh. The two Lan’s looked between each other in confusion, Lan Wangji also analysing the options he had. Wei Wuxian was in a suspended state however his wound was still leaking blood, not wanting to waste more time than was necessary Lan Wangji began to back away towards Sizhui. Wen Chao oblivious as he continued to laugh incessantly, Lan Wangji took this opportunity to grab both Wei Wuxian and his son. It was then the alarm bells began to ring out announcing the escape of Lan Qiren, noticing the trio escaping Wen Chao began to give chase to the group. With Lan Wangji’s spiritual energy sealed and Sizhui not in the most ideal mental state flying was out of the question. The group continued to dart throughout the bamboo forest, each time Lan Wangji had thought he’d found an exit Wen Chao managed to get there a second sooner. This continued on for several minutes until Wen Chao had managed to back the trio into a corner of a particularly dense patch of bamboo which couldn’t be passed unless chopped down, on the account of carrying Wei Wuxian Lan Wangji wasn’t in a position to carry out such a task. Sizhui was posed in front of the pair to Lan Wangji’s dismay, in an attempt to defend them.

“Nowhere else to run second young master Lan, although I guess it’s just second master Lan now. Young Wen Yuan here is the young master Lan now.” Wen Chao appeared to be slowly approaching the group at this point, taunting them almost.

“Although there is so much I have yet to tell you young master Lan, especially about your heritage. The truth to your heritage and not what these iced fools have been informing you of.” Just as Wen Chao was about to place a hand against the sword Sizhui was holding, or more like trembling; this man instilled a somewhat unknown fear to Sizhui, one he couldn’t recognise. Maybe because he was wearing the skin of Lan Qiren which brought back memories he had wanted left buried, although every time he looked in the mirror those memories managed to snap back. Or perhaps the concept of this soul being of the Wen Clan and declaring he was from the people who had brought so much pain and misery to not only his family but his Sect.

It was then that Jingyi had made his entrance, landing himself square in between the two stopping whatever incident was occurring. He couldn’t really tell what was happening with the speed he’d been accelerating at.

“Stand away from young master Lan’s family.” Jingyi declared, his sword now in hand. Poised directly at Lan Qiren’s neck, the point cutting the top layer of skin, not enough to draw blood but a small amount of pressure could still cause harm.

“My, my. What loyal dogs you have-” Wen Chao tried to speak, however Jingyi could not stand the man’s taunting, especially hearing someone being called a dog twice in one day.

“Silence, Lan Qiren have you not caused enough destruction. If you return with me peacefully, maybe your sentence will be reduced.” Jingyi was never one to bargain; however he’d taken note of Qianbei’s injuries, the sword impaling him not being a good sign.

“Jingyi, I need to get him to the infirmary.” Lan Wangji informed the boy, Jingyi simply nodded in response as he watched Lan Wangji take off at an incredible speed. Lan Qiren’s eyes seemed to follow the pair, knowing it would be impossible to catch up with the pair without receiving a sword in the back he raised his hands in defeat.

“Alright brat. Take me back to my cell or whatever.” Lan Qiren admitted, Jingyi was shocked. He genuinely expected a fight between himself and the old man, it was then that Jin Ling made his way beside the group. His sword was more built for strength than agility, also the fact Jin Ling had never flown as high as Jingyi had taken them didn’t help him overcome his fear as he’d slowly descended.

“Lan Jingyi, will you please inform me of what is happening?” Jin Ling shakily stepped off his sword now, he wouldn’t admit it but he was very happy to be stood on the solid ground once more.

“Young master Jin, perfect timing. Can you take Sizhui to Sect leader Lan, he should be in the Yashi by now.” Jin Ling looked around confused, the only people here was Lan Qiren who had been rumoured to have gone into seclusion years ago and the young Sect heir. Groaning in exasperation, Jingyi pointed towards his best friend.

“That is Sizhui, I have to take him back to his ce- room.”Jingyi grasped hold of Lan Qiren’s robes at this point and began dragging him away. Leaving Jin Ling in the presence of a Sect heir he had intended to befriend, but not in a bizarre situation like this! With little choice Jin Ling turned his focus to Lan Sizhui as he know knew him as, whose hands still trembled ever so slightly.

“Young master Lan?” Jin Ling offered, but the boy refused to respond. As if trapped in a memory of sorts. “Young master Lan?” Jin Ling tried again, this time approaching closer in hopes of snapping him out of whatever was occurring. Jin Ling partially regretted following Jingyi as he was now in this awkward situation. “Lan Sizhui.” Jin Ling tried this time, it appeared to have gotten a reaction from the boy as his eyes snapped to his own.

“My apologies,” Jin Ling immediately declared as he bowed as low as his body would physically let him before he’d end up on his knees. “Please forgive this foolish young master.” Seeing the sight before him brought a slight sense of amusement to Sizhui, he quickly sheathed his sword before approaching Jin Ling. Placing a hand on his forearm to force him upright.

“Young master Jin need not bow to me, and please call me Lan Sizhui. Being called young master Lan by everyone gets annoying after a while.” Sizhui let loose a small laugh at his words, Jin Ling simply nodded at his words as he let a small smile play upon his lips.

“Then please, address me as Jin Ling. It is only fair.” Sizhui nodded in agreement at the young boy's words, he may have been Jin Ling’s senior by two years but being beside him Sizhui felt like he’d found his equal. Someone who understood the pressures he felt, but Wen Chao’s earlier words still sat in Sizhui’s mind.

‘The truth to your heritage and not what these iced fools have been informing you of.’

Chapter Text

Over the next few days Lan Jingyi became slightly subdued to many disciples' shock, he wasn’t jumping about as he usually did. He had even managed to avoid writing out the Lan Sect rules in a handstand like the teachers forced them to do, it had been something Lan Qiren had imbued. Despite everyone currently disliking the man his punishment had remained, deeming a fit punishment by the elders and teachers alike. Lan Xichen had thought it slightly harsh but let it slide, after all it was improving the disciples arm strength and concentration. But not a single disciple could figure out Jingyi’s sullen mood, although Zizhen could. Or more likely Jingyi had incessantly informed him as to why.

“I don’t understand!” Jingyi declared as he paced back and forth in Zizhen’s shared room with Jin Ling, the young master Jin rarely seemed to be in his room which was precisely why Jingyi was ranting. “Why does he and Sizhui get along so well!” Zizhen continued to sip at the tea he’d been brought by Jingyi upon his arrival, setting the cup to the side he gently moved himself so he wasn’t awkwardly facing the opposite side to his friend. Through the blooming friendship which had occurred between the Lan and Jin heirs a friendship had formed between the two best friends of the heirs.

“Perhaps it’s due to them understanding one another, they are both Sect heirs after all.” Zizhen offered his friend in distress, he feared if Jingyi continued this pacing he’d run himself into the ground.

“But Sizhui used to tell me about all his issues, if he had a problem we’d deal with it together.” Jingyi plopped himself down on Zizhen’s bed, head falling backwards as he let a sigh of despair loose.

“Are you… Jealous of them spending time with one another?” Zizhen suggested as he awkwardly shuffled to face Jingyi again, his mangled leg was not making it easy to converse with someone who wouldn’t sit still.

“What!” Jingyi shot upright at hearing those words, he hadn’t thought about it but maybe he was jealous? After all it felt slightly like he’d been replaced in a way.

“What if I am? Is it so wrong?” Jingyi asked Zizhen with pleading eyes, Zizhen simply sighed at Jingyi’s stupidity.

“Jingyi, how long have I known you now?” The question was an odd one, the pair hadn’t been acquainted that long.

“About a week now, why does that matter?” Jingyi wanted a straight forward answer, he doubted he was going to receive one though.

“Right, within the last week what have you done?” Jingyi thought his recent actions over carefully.

“Well I’ve attended the classes, carried out my duties and visited you.” Zizhen nodded in understanding, seeing if the missing factor Jingyi was lacking would click. When several minutes passed without acknowledgement Zizhen pieced the pieces together for Jingyi.

“Have you spoken to young master Lan about this?” That was when the penny had dropped.

“Ah- No, I haven’t…” Jingyi admitted with slight reluctance, he felt like a fool for not realising this sooner.

“Then perhaps speak with young master Lan about your discomfort.” Despite stating this Zizhen hoped Jingyi wouldn’t begin to follow Sizhui around again, he appreciated the company. With Jin Ling spending as much of his time with Sizhui as he was, Zizhen had few people to speak with. He had hoped Jingyi was spending time with him because he desired to, not because he was simply the only alternative option which he was slowly suspecting was the true reason.

“But then you’d be alone?” Jingyi stated, this caught Zizhen off guard. He really had thought he was a dead weight to the Lan.

“Wait, did you think I was only with you cause I couldn’t be with Sizhui?” Zizhen gave the boy credit that he could be observant at the most inconvenient times, specifically when the observant thing wasn’t about himself.

“Zizhen…” Jingyi whined in disappointment. “You really think that low of me?” Zizhen began to feel guilt claw at his heart, he really had thought of such a thing towards someone he considered his friend.

“Maybe… I mean you only discuss young master Lan half the time. Sometimes I wondered if there was something more between you…” Zizhen admitted awkwardly, it was a thought that had crossed his mind more than he’d like to admit.

“No! Absolutely not! I am not a cut-sleeve, although I have nothing against cut-sleeves I am not one myself.” Zizhen let a small laugh leave his mouth upon hearing Jingyi’s awkward answer.

“Okay. Then Jingyi,” Zizhen offered his now flustered friend. “Let’s have fun without the need of our young master’s.”

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

It had been nearly two months since the start of the classes within the Cloud Recesses. Jingyi had perked up again to everyone's delight, seeing the boy in the miserable state he’d descended into was a sore sight to anyone. Lan or not.

Lan Wangji had become a rare sight amongst the Cloud Recesses, only ever seen accompanying his brother or son. People rumoured he was going into periods of seclusion, only appearing when deemed necessary. The rumour was partially true, he had retreated away. He only left the Gentian house when his brother requested of him or Sizhui did, although Sizhui had a habit of coming to him more often than not.

The incident of Lan Qiren’s escape had been kept under wraps, none of the guests had seen the incident first hand so it was simple to explain the incident as simply a wild yao breaking loose. Although the damage done to the individuals was still lingering, not healing despite the time that had passed.

“Jin Ling,” Sizhui interrupted his friend who had managed to let his mind wander once again, the pair were residing within the library. Sizhui had glanced over various texts his Uncle had deemed relevant to his studies, meanwhile Jin Ling was reading upon the Lan Sect’s history. He’d deemed it important to learn of his friend's heritage. “Is something wrong?” Sizhui leaned over towards Jin Ling, trying to see what the boy was reading prior to his loss of focus.

“It’s nothing.” Jin Ling admitted without much thought, it was only when he’d turned his head did he realise how close the young Sect heir was. Sizhui raised his head, the two were a breath apart from one another. Almost as if they could…

“I’m sorry!” Sizhui blurted out as he pushed himself backwards away from the confused Jin Ling, Sizhui had ended up further away than he was initially situated. A light pink dusted his ears as he apologised, he hadn’t intended to be that close to the Jin heir. Although he wasn’t objecting to the idea of being that close to him again…

“What are you sorry for?” Jin Ling questioned as he readjusted himself in his seat, the poor child was oblivious to the most simplistic of intimate actions, although he had always acted so close with Zizhen that this form of closeness was normal to him. Sizhui shook his head at Jin Ling’s question, thinking it best that he didn’t impose such thoughts onto the young master.

“It does not matter. What information were you reading?” Sizhui quickly attempted to change the topic, although Jin Ling sensed the change in topic he thought not much on it.

“I was just viewing the texts surrounding your founder Lan An, it’s a lovely tale.” Jin Ling commented to the already flustered Lan, Sizhui had begun to recite the rules throughout his head in an attempt to calm his fluttering heart.

“How so?” Sizhui questioned as he regained the courage to sit closer to the Jin heir once more, although not as close as before.

“Lan An traversed the lands in search of his fated person and when he found them he swore to never leave their side. Even after they died Lan An refused to find another person and focused solely on his cultivation, it sounds like a tragic fairy-tale in a way.” Jin Ling appeared to have enjoyed his dive into the Lan history a lot more than expected.

“Well, it is a well known fact that a Lan only loves once.” Sizhui attempted to joke, however Jin Ling appeared more intrigued than anything.

“Only once? What if the person you love rejects you?” Jin Ling posed the question, he didn’t realise it but he’d embedded a seed of fear into Sizhui’s heart. The concept of being outright rejected hadn’t crossed his mind till this moment, he had felt so foolish for not thinking of the concept sooner.

“I don’t know… I’ve never witnessed it first hand so I can’t give you an answer. My A-Die fell for my A-Niang when they were only children at the Cloud Recesses lectures; he hasn’t left their side since.” Sizhui admitted without realising it, he always had those as his ideal example. When he’d been little it was obvious how much they cared for one another, simple gift giving or just time spent together was obvious enough proof of their affection. Especially the pain his father had gone through for his mother, even after Wei Wuxian’s awakening he knew there was still that spark of affection. After all, Wei Wuxian feared for Lan Wangji’s image by addressing him so informally.

“I’ve been meaning to ask you about that, your father is Sect leader Lan correct?” Jin Ling possessed the question so calmly, however Sizhui couldn’t restrain the laughter that quickly left his lips. Poor Jin Ling stared at the boy in confusion, he was the Sect heir so naturally he had to be the son of Lan Xichen.

“I apologise for my outburst,” Sizhui tried to stumble out, he wiped away a tear that had begun to form in his eye as he finally regained himself. “Sect leader Lan is my uncle. I am the son of Hanguan-Jun.” Jin Ling stared at Sizhui in confused shock for a moment, the son of the coldest Lan with the Gusu Lan sect had a son? Especially a son who was as bright and kind as Sizhui was!

“Are you joking?” Jin Ling managed to mutter out, this couldn’t be true.

“We Lan’s rarely joke. My A-Die is the renowned Hanguan-Jun, although that wasn’t common knowledge until recently.” Sizhui grasped at his side lightly, feeling the slightly uneven surface beneath his robes.

“You must have your mothers attitude then, you're a complete opposite to Hanguan-Jun.” Jin Ling declared without much thought, he’d heard the same thing from many people. He’d inherited his fathers attitude but his mothers features. Although by Jin Ling’s assumption he’d taken after his mothers looks, he held a slight likeness to Lan Wangji, although it was only in the eyes. It was through how his emotions were always displayed in his eyes just like his father, whilst Lan Wangji hid behind a wall of ice with a cold expression while Sizhui hid behind a smile. Although warm and appealing it hid many secrets many would rather be buried with history than ever be brought to light.

“My uncle has said I’m like my A-Niang in that aspect, they always had a bright smile whilst assisting anyone who’d allow them to help.” Jin Ling thought it odd Sizhui was addressing his mother as ‘they’, but thought it was probably some form of respect.

“Although my A-Niang was incredibly smart, they even devised their own fighting style using other sect’s forms as inspiration. The Jiang sect was one of the core ones to its formation.” Sizhui sounded like he was fawning over such a fighting style, although the fact that the Jiang sect’s style specifically was used to form it was intriguing. If she was of the Lan sect then wouldn’t it make sense to use that as its base? Unless she wasn’t of the Lan sect to begin with…

“Can your mother show me this style? I’d like to ask her some questions about it if she doesn’t mind?” Jin Ling posed the question to Sizhui who appeared to freeze up.

“I’m sorry, you can’t see my A-Niang. They are preoccupied right now…” There was a flash of pain throughout Sizhui’s eyes at that point, the events from a few months back still heavy on his shoulders. Feeling regret, Jin Ling placed a hand on his shoulder, he didn’t even tighten his grip. Just had it lightly placed there.

“I’m sorry, perhaps you know the technique yourself?” Jin Ling suggested, the light in Sizhui’s eyes was one Jin Ling knew he wouldn’t tire of.

“Absolutely! Follow me!” Before Jin Ling could think further on the matter Sizhui had grabbed hold of his sword and grasped Jin Ling’s robes as he began to drag him towards the training fields.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

“Sizhui… Why does it have to be an official duel?” Jin Ling muttered out as the pair of them separated onto opposite sides of the field, Lan Xichen had the land cleared of disciples so everyone could have a good perspective of the commencing battle. It was well known that Sizhui refused to battle any disciples within the Lan sect, he even refused to duel Lan Jingyi who had begged relentlessly.

“Otherwise it would be seen as a private dispute. Such a thing is against the rules, the only reason we are being watched is because I’ve only ever duelled my Uncle and father in the past.” Jin Ling raised an eyebrow in questioning at such information, he’d fought against countless Jiang disciples in Yunmeng and a decent few of the Jin disciples in Lanling. The scores were a mixture of wins and loses, although Jin Ling hadn’t thought much of them at the time because he would always return later to ensure he had a victory. That was probably the reason he was compared to his Uncle so much, stubborn in ensuring victory.

“I assumed you’d duelled countless disciples, you obviously value the art of the sword.” Sizhui shook his head as the pair finally reached their positions on the opposite ends, Lan Xichen was situated at the front of the ring of disciples that had formed. A proud smile was displayed on his face, Jingyi had also shoved his way to the front with Zizhen in tow. Sizhui had begun to believe Jingyi had finally formed another friendship apart from his own, after all he rarely saw the two apart. The two boys began to draw their respective swords as they awaited the Sect leaders' words.

“Let the duel between Jin Ling of the Lanling Jin Sect and Lan Sizhui of the Gusu Lan Sect begin.” Xichen declared as he lowered his arm in a rapid chopping motion, in an instant the pair had their swords locked against one another. They had both taken the offensive to no one’s surprise.

“Offensive strategy?” Jin Ling joked to Sizhui who was deciding on his next move.

“Of course, offence is the best defence.” With that Sizhui swiftly leapt backwards without much effort forcing Jin Ling to begin falling forwards, expecting him to fall to his knees Sizhui took a solid swing. However was left open for an attack when Jin Ling simply rolled on his knees to Sizhui open side. However, Sizhui managed to twist his arm resulting in his blade colliding with Jin Ling’s forcing him to teeter ever so slightly.

“You are good, a lot better than I expected.” Sizhui admitted happily, he’d always struggled in fights against his father and Uncle, they never let him have a moment of the upper hand. Always making him feel a couple steps behind, yet with Jin Ling he felt like his equal. Like he wasn’t going to easily overpower him, like the pair could keep exchanging blows like this forever.

“That’s the Jiang sword style for you, able to flow and adapt just like the rivers we live on.” Jin Ling smirked as he regained his footing, with Sizhui he felt like he could learn so much. But at the same time he was having more fun than he had ever expected.

“Stop flirting with the Sect heir!” Jingyi shouted from the side-line, he was quickly silenced by Zizhen slapping a hand over his mouth. The irony was people couldn’t tell which one Jingyi was addressing, the pair were flirting with another. Even if they weren’t intending to.

“How about I show you the sword style now?” Sizhui suggested to Jin Ling who looked momentarily distracted by Jingyi’s words, he appeared to be contemplating their meaning almost. Once he heard Sizhui’s words a smirk returned to his lips and a slight nod of his head was enough for the pair to continue. If one was to compare them to anything it would be like petals in the wind, they danced around one another perfectly in sync. Dodge, strike, parry then dodge once more. The spectators were enamoured by the pair's beauty of not only themselves and their swords but the spectacle that they were as a combined pair. By this point Lan Wangji had made an appearance standing beside his brother, he didn’t speak a singular word. Merely glancing at his brother who only gestured for him to take notice of his son. It was then Lan Wangji was sure he saw a ghost of the past, he saw a twilit night. Two robed figures dancing amongst roof tiles in an attempt to capture and escape, purple robes just sliding between the snow white hands which had grasped. The scarlet ribbon tied tight and the crystal white tails of a headband seen dancing along with the wind. But most importantly what he saw was an opportunity he had missed, but not just a single opportunity. Many of them, time after time where he was absent. Times he could have made a difference, could have made an impact whether it was a physical or emotional one. He saw as flashes of Wei Wuxian passed his eyes, his growth from the violet Yunmeng robes of the Jiang clan to the white robes of the Gusu Clan to that cruel obsidian silk which had represented each soul he’d let escape his grasp. Each part of himself he’d sacrificed in order to stand as what he was in that moment. The Yiling Patriarch lived on, but not as the cruel and merciless man that the world knew. But as a frail and frightened boy, who had only given again and again to the world, he so desperately wanted to help. The world that had been so cruel and unjust to him. And he’d helped the world, it was only so obvious in the boy he was watching before him right now. Wei Wuxian lived on, in the soul that was Lan Sizhui. In the words, in the actions that Lan Yuan graced the world with everyday, through a simple moonlit smile. Through the careful and considerate words he uttered without ulterior motive or resentment, through his gratefulness of what he held now and would continue to hold dear until his final breath.

Lan Wangji drew a sharp breath without even realising it, Lan Xichen turned to his brother in concern. But he had never expected to see the look which plagued his brother, one of longing, one of regret but most importantly a face of realisation.

“Wangji?” Xichen uttered with bated breath, grasping hold of his brother's sleeve in an attempt to tether him back to his roots.

“Huan…” Lan Wangji stuttered out, he couldn’t cope with the realisation. “I’ve missed him…” Lan Xichen raised a brow in confusion, he missed who? Wei Wuxian? 

“I understand you miss him but he’s not in his right mind, especially now that he’s in a coma again.” Lan Xichen tried to calm his brother, this was not the time nor place for his brother to break down like this.

“No. I’ve missed A-Yuan, I’ve missed him growing up…” Lan Wangji stuttered out to his brother, the man gently placed a hand against his younger brother's shoulder in a way of support as well as a method in which to guide him away from the crowd. Not many took notice of the pair’s disappearance, they were too engrossed in the fight still occurring before them.

Jin Ling was struggling to keep up with Sizhui’s attacks, the constant flowing rhythm was similar to the Jiang style that he himself used. Yet it was completely different at the same time, the style appeared to adapt at rates the Jiang style was unable to. Conforming around the user's strength of agility over strength to overpower, it was a style suited to Sizhui. However, as Sizhui took quick strides towards Jin Ling the younger prepared to defend, only to be tricked and witnessed as Sizhui simply soared overhead of him. Within seconds of landing Sizhui had restrained Jin Ling to the floor; his sword sat mere millimetres from his throat.

“I’ll take this as your surrender, Jin Ling.” Sizhui stated with his usual smile. There were various cheers of joy from the crowd, people were enamoured by the spectacle they’d just witnessed. It had left them craving more, although it was highly unlikely they were going to witness more of a fight from the pair. As in that moment where Sizhui had leapt overhead something had struck Jin Ling, a moment of realisation or clarity he wasn’t sure. But he knew one thing, he wanted to fight Sizhui again. But not just fight him, he wanted to do other feats against or alongside him. It was then that Jin Ling had realised Sizhui extended a hand to Jin Ling in order to help himself upright. Once stood firm on his feet once more Sizhui began to let go of Jin Ling’s hand and walk away, however he was easily pulled backwards so Jin Ling could whisper down his ear.

“Next time… I’ll be the one on top.” Sizhui’s face quickly changed from confusion to a determined smile, he wouldn’t admit it but he couldn’t wait for their next fight.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

“Wangji, do you feel any better?” Lan Xichen carefully questioned as he watched his younger brother slowly drink from his cup of herbal tea, it was a specific brew designed to calm one's mind. Although Xichen wasn’t too sure if it was working on his brother or not.

“Mm.” Lan Wangji responded with practised ease, his thoughts were still running rampant in his mind, so many mistakes and errors he’d made over the years were beginning to affect him.

“Wangji, A-Yuan is a fine young man. I don’t understand your prior words, you’ve always been there for him.” Lan Xichen answered as he stared at his untouched cup of tea, he had lost all appetite to drink anything when seeing his brother in such a fragile state. It reminded him of when they were kids and he was identical to his current state; it was just after their mother had passed away.

“That is precisely the point. A-Yuan is no longer a child, if you wanted to you could hand the Sect to him in two years time.” Xichen understood what his brother had meant now, the way in which he was acting during the fight was like a child in a manner. The smile displayed on his face had not been one he’d practically perfected over the years, it was one of childlike joy. Of someone really enjoying the art they so dearly valued. And it had only been possible due to the newly established friendship between himself and the young master Jin.

“Wangji, I have no intention of handing off the Sect to A-Yuan. Not for a long time, he has the chance to live his life as he wishes. Unlike us…” Lan Xichen sadly admitted, as a child he had always known he’d inherit the title of sect leader. But due to their unique blood ties and how Lan Xichen always appeared to act as his mother had when he was younger there was always unease as to whether the elders would pass on the title to his younger brother. Due to the war not only eliminating certain elders who had planned to follow through on this idea the war had also acted as a crutch for the elder brother in a way for him to prove himself.

“Unlikely, A-Yuan still holds the title of sect heir. His reputation will follow him.” Lan Xichen was starting to become slightly irritated with his brother, despite every positive response he had given his brother had managed to respond with a negative remark.

“Wangji, I do not understand what is going through your mind right now… But if you believe you haven’t been there for A-Yuan then be here for him now.” Lan Xichen probably should have worded his response slightly kinder but he knew he had to be blunt. “I understand you want to be there for him, he gave you so much when you saw everything so narrow minded. But you can’t expect to sit there every minute of every day just watching and waiting.” Lan Xichen saw the shocked expression plastered across his brother's face, he was being way too blunt for even the Lan sect standards but this was something that was needed to be stated. “What if the next time you come to realise you’ve not spent enough time with your son it’s when he’s off and married to somebody, or worse on his deathbed.” Imagining his son being in such places sent a slight fear throughout Lan Wangji’s body. Thankfully Lan Xichen’s words had done good over bad, the man in question raised himself to his feet. He had to go find Sizhui, he had to correct his mistakes. His brother was right, he couldn’t wait forever for his soulmate. But part of him wanted to, he couldn’t just outright abandon him so he made a choice. His son would take the priority.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

“Sizhui!” A voice basically screamed to the poor boy who was merely trying to rest in his own room, Jingyi was one of the few people who had access to the Chunshi.

“Jingyi? What is it? Is something wrong?” Sizhui questioned as he began to drag himself from the comforts of his bed, he’d opted to rest and read for the rest of the evening in his sleeping robes. He was grateful he hadn’t taken off his forehead ribbon or taken his hair down yet.

“No, nothing is wrong outside. However, I have some questions for you.” Jingyi had his arms crossed across his chest while he had a scowl resting on his face, Sizhui knew this was going to happen sooner or later.

“You want to know why I duelled Jin Ling?” Sizhui posed the question for Jingyi however how he’d addressed Jin Ling brought up even more questions.

“You are even calling young master Jin by his birth name! What happened to you two? It’s like your two peas in a pod.” Jingyi reluctantly admitted, although he’d never admit it, he was jealous of how close the pair were now.

“I could say the same for you and young master Ouyang-”

“Don’t call him that, call him Zizhen.” Jingyi rarely corrected his best friend but after the stories he’d heard from Zizhen he didn’t believe that title would ever suit him again.

“Okay?” Sizhui agreed confusingly. “I call Jin Ling by that name cause he asked me to, I requested he not call me young master so he asked for the same in turn.” Jingyi nodded his head in understanding, although there was a heavy layer of annoyance beneath it.

“Okay, now answer me this. Why did you duel him!” Sizhui felt a bead of sweat slide down the side of his head upon hearing the accusation. “I have begged for years for an official duel yet you only turned me down. But the young master Jin is allowed and you’ve known him for merely two months!” Sizhui remained level headed as he contemplated his response.

“It’s complicated.” Sizhui began to respond however Jingyi would not sit for such a half hearted answer.

“Complicated how?” Jingyi sat himself down on a seat which accompanied a small table within the corner of the room, the table was piled with various musical scores and other various books from the library.

“Jin Ling is a sect heir like myself, we can relate to one another in a way…” Sizhui awkwardly laughed in hopes of putting his closest friend off the real truth.

“But I have been your best friend since we were kids, you never had an official duel with me. If we spared you would always hold back or let me win, or even quit just before your victory.” Jingyi complained as his vision wandered across to the various books on the table. It was then that he noticed that one of the common history books from Gusu was amongst them, it was knowledge every member of the Lan clan had committed to memory due to how often it was taught in childhood.

“Why do you have this?” Jingyi questioned as he grabbed hold of the book, quickly flipping through the pages just like he had done many times as a child. It took him a while but Jingyi finally took notice of the various pieces of paper slotted amongst the pages of the book. Although the handwriting was not Sizhui’s.

“Why do you have someone else’s notes?” It was at this point Sizhui had gotten to his feet and made his way across the room. Snatching the book from Jingyi’s grasp, Sizhui snapped it closed before tossing it onto his own bed.

“They are nothing, just useless scrawls by somebody.” Sizhui felt bad calling Jin Ling’s well detailed notes scrawls but if it threw Jingyi off the trail he was currently following then it was worth it.

“Is there something you're hiding from me?” Jingyi questioned, Sizhui felt a bead of sweat begin to form on his forehead. He couldn’t lie, but then again he couldn’t tell him the truth. Although even Sizhui himself wasn’t fully aware of the truth was.

“If there was something to tell you I would, wouldn’t I? After all, like you said you are my best friend.” Jingyi appeared to accept this answer as a smile graced his face once more.

“True. But if something is wrong don’t hesitate to talk with me, I know I’m spending a lot of time with Zizhen but it’s because I worry for him…” Jingyi began to fidget with his hands as he admitted words he’d been holding back for months. “That day he was attacked, it was brutal. I mean there wasn’t a single piece of mercy in the eyes of the Jin disciple. And I know you don’t need me hovering around you all the time. Part of me used to do that because I felt guilty…” Sizhui began to slowly realise the guilt which his best friend had been carrying throughout the years.

“Jingyi, what happened that day wasn’t your fault. Zhu Lian has made that clear and so have I. I know you care, but remember I can defend myself. So can Zizhen. Just remember that we also care what happens to you as well.” It was then that Sizhui wrapped a reassuring arm around his best friend, it wasn’t a proper hug but it was a way of showing support to his best friend.

“How about this, why don’t you and Zizhen join myself and Jin Ling tomorrow? We were planning to spend some time in the library before we headed off into town in the afternoon. After all it is the weekend so classes are suspended.” Jingyi thought the decision over for a while, Zizhen was best friends with the Jin heir and would probably enjoy the chance to spend more time with him again. But the issue was Jingyi could hardly stand him, in Jingyi’s eyes he was a spoiled brat who would stand better as a maiden than a young master.

“Sure, we’ll be there.” Jingyi agreed somewhat reluctantly. It was then that the two boys were interrupted by the sound of a knocking upon the door.

“A-Yuan, may I come in?” It was Lan Wangji, suddenly freaked out by the appearance of Lan Wangji Jingyi made his way to the door. Once opening it he was greeted by the great Hanguan-Jun, bowing quickly Jingyi made his escape. Confused Lan Wangji glanced at his son.

“Jingyi is still scared of you.” Sizhui answered calmly, ever since Jingyi had found out Lan Wangji was Sizhui’s father when they were kids he had developed a slight fear for the man. Although Lan Wangji was partly to blame, he had scowled at the boy when he’d first seen him, but that was due to his misunderstanding that Jingyi wasn’t a rogue child causing trouble but actually a friend of Sizhui’s coming to visit.

“I see. How are you?” Lan Wangji began as he made his way inside the room, swiftly closing the door behind him so no one else would disturb the coming conversation. Lan Sizhui quickly picked up on the somewhat awkward atmosphere so began to answer quickly.

“I am doing fine, I was catching up on some reading before Jingyi arrived.” Sizhui was careful in watching his fathers features, looking for any sign of change. Even the smallest twitch of a muscle could mean something, but seeing the rims of his fathers eyes ever so slightly red was not something he was expecting.

“A-Die, are you doing well?” Sizhui returned his fathers earlier question in hopes of having him open up. Thankfully he did without additional persuasion.

“No, no I am not…” Lan Wangji admitted, his hand gripping the table tightly. “I fear I have failed you.” That was definitely not the response Sizhui had expected, not in a million years.

“A-Die you have never failed me, why do you think so?” Sizhui was on the brink of tears already, his father had been nothing but kind and patient to him his entire life. Yet now he was saying he was a failure?

“I have not been a fit father. I have allowed you to suffer, I have not been there for you when I should have been. I have been there when needed but not there when wanted…” Sizhui reached across the table to his father, grasping his hands like he used to when he was a child.

“A-Die…” Sizhui had begun to cry at this point which began to make Lan Wangji even more guilty. “Please don’t say these things, whoever told you this is wrong.” Sizhui struggled to form sentences to get his thoughts across but he continued. “You have been here for me. I have a way to be closer to A-Niang because of you, because of you A-Niang is alive and I have both of you. If you hadn’t saved both of us I would probably be on the streets or worse…” Sizhui tightened his grip on his fathers hands watching as the realisation dawned across his face. “Because I’m your son I have family and friends. Because I’m your son I’ve had the opportunity to learn things normal people wouldn’t even dream of. Because I’m your son I’ve had the chance to learn of new emotions, of new feelings. But most importantly I am your son because you chose to be my father, which is something not many people would be willing to do with my blood ties…” Sizhui hadn’t forgotten Wen Chao’s words from those months back, he hadn’t forgotten how he was accused of being from the Wen sect. He knew he shouldn’t allow a ghost, a vengeful one at that, to warp his mind. But his father had confirmed he was of the Wen sect, although not the main clan he was still a part of it.

“A-Yuan,” Lan Wangji began as he quickly captured every single piece of his son's attention. “I think it’s time I told you of where you came from.” Feeling his nerves freeze, Sizhui struggled to nod his head in agreement, although he didn’t want to know what sick and twisted history he’d be connected to, he also wanted to know the truth.

“As you know the Qishan Wen clan began a war against the four great sects. Qinghe Nie, Lanling Jin, Yunmeng Jiang and Gusu Lan.” Sizhui absorbed every word his father stated, his pace was neither fast nor slow allowing for every word to be heard clearly. “Once the war was over every individual who was affiliated to the Wen sect suffered. It mattered not of what role they served, only that they carried the surname Wen.” Sizhui raised an eyebrow in questioning, it didn’t seem fair to punish people just due to their surname.

“A-Die, that stands against our principles. We honour ourselves by defending others who cannot defend themselves.” A small smile graced Lan Wangji’s lips at this point.

“You are just like him…” Lan Wangji muttered as he fixed a stray hair on Sizhui’s head. “Wei Ying believed that as well, so did many others. But the wounds of war cannot so easily be forgotten. People had been killed, friends, family. Brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, sons and daughters. The people wanted justice, so in their eyes anyone who had been connected to the ones who caused them pain deserved to suffer.” Lan Wangji gripped his hands closed on themselves as he recalled over the past events, Sizhui gently placed a hand atop of his fathers in a way of telling him to relax.

“Are you aware of a woman under the name of Wen Qing?” Lan Wangji questioned his son, it took Sizhui a few moments but he came to a conclusion.

“From the history books she was the Wen sect leader's healer, although there isn’t much mentioned apart from the fact she was known for her incredible skills. Also that she was burned at the stake for her crimes.” Lan Wangji nodded his head in agreement, he didn’t expect there to be any alternative information on the woman. The world wanted to paint her as a devil, so they had done so.

“The history books are only partially true,” Lan Wangji admitted as he pulled a book from within his robes. It looked to be worn and tattered from the years, but the handwriting on the front was neat and uniform like a doctors. “Wen Qing was a doctor, she was one of the best in the cultivation world. Hence why she was blackmailed into the role she played.” Hearing those words brought Sizhui’s focus back to his father and not the mysterious book.

“Wen Qing was the leader of a small clan which had defected from the main Qishan Wen clan many generations prior to the war. They were the Dafan Wen clan, who specialised in medical practices.” Hearing this perked Sizhui up slightly, not all the Wen’s had been merciless and cruel like he had assumed. “Although separate from the Qishan Wen’s the Dafan Wen’s were labelled with the same title as monsters. Despite never once picking up a sword, being only farmers and doctors they suffered. That is the heritage you carry, the nephew of the once most recognisable doctor in history.” Lan Wangji answered with pride, he hadn’t forgotten the kindness that woman had shown to many despite her unfortunate situation.

“So Wen Qing was my aunt?” Sizhui questioned as he readjusted himself in his seat.

“Yes, you had an uncle as well. His name was Wen Ning, although he had died before your aunt.” Lan Wangji thought it best not to mention the fact he was a revived corpse, although now that he thought about it, it was foolish for the Sects to have destroyed someone like him. After all he was a unique one of a kind case. Although their fear for Wen Ning probably made them ignorant to the research that could have been performed.

“A-Die, if they were my uncle and aunt then what happened to my parents?” Lan Wangji felt awkward of answering this, he couldn’t think of what suffering they must have gone through in their final moments. Possibly thinking of the son they’d left behind?

“They were killed, at the start of the war. It was a cultivator according to your aunt. Your mother first, then your father as he sought to avenge her.” Sizhui nodded his head in understanding, he always wondered why he had no images of them in his mind.

“Good.” Sizhui answered, which took Lan Wangji by surprise. “I’m glad neither one had to suffer living without the other.” Although it was a smile across Sizhui’s face it was obvious it was one to hide the pain which hurt his heart. Not being able to bear witness to his son’s suffering Lan Wangji made his way over before enveloping him into a hug.

“I’m sorry I’ve hidden this from you for so long.” Lan Wangji admitted as Sizhui appeared to hug him tighter, appearing to be holding back tears. Lan Wangji brushed aside part of his hair so he could see his son's eyes.

“It’s okay, you can cry.” It was as if a dam had been unleashed as Sizhui began to cry into his fathers shoulder. The two remained like that for some time until Sizhui was ready to speak once more.

“How can I miss someone I’ve no memory of?” Sizhui questioned as he looked up to his father who had nothing but a look of tenderness in his eyes.

“Because you love them, I was the same when my father passed.” The younger was shocked, his father never spoke of his parents. He always assumed it was because it was too difficult to speak of. “I didn’t have much of a bond with my father. After the unfortunate passing of my mother I locked most people out of my life, including your uncle. What was worse was I blamed my father for my mothers death.” Sizhui knew it best not to speak; his father appeared to be talking like he was reminiscing in memories long forgotten. “Although when Wei Ying arrived he changed everything, he was different. He managed to heal that pain somehow, just by being beside him I felt relaxed. As if I was beside him I had nothing to worry or to fear.” The soft smile which accompanied Lan Wangji’s face could only be compared to that of the beauty of early spring as the ice began to melt.

“I think A-Niang thought the same of you.” Sizhui stated without much thought, although he had no memories of his childhood he still had flashes, images if you will of certain events. Specifically one of them being of Lan Wangji taking them for a meal and the relaxed face which had appeared on Wei Wuxian had been one of peace.

Chapter Text

Many months had passed since the duel between Lan Sizhui and Jin Ling, yet it was still one of the most common topics in conversations. The duo had now evolved into a group of four, being that of Lan Sizhui, Lan Jingyi, Jin Ling and Ouyang Zizhen. Although the group would split off into various pairs at times they were typically seen as an unit together, although it was particularly common seeing the Lan heir dragging away Lan Jingyi whilst Ouyang Zizhen would be dragging the Jin heir in the opposite direction.

“A-Yuan, there has been a disturbance in Caiyi town. Would it be possible for you and Lan Jingyi to investigate alongside some disciples?” Lan Xichen posed the question as he looked away from some letters of complaint from the Lan elders. Lan Xichen alongside his brother had been attempting to take away the amount of power they held, however the elders were not compliant about such actions.

“Of course, we’ll leave immediately.” With that Sizhui left the room without a second thought, it brought a smile to Lan Xichen’s face. He really was like his mother.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

“Sizhui.” A voice called as Jingyi and Sizhui had been descending the steps towards the entrance of the Cloud Recesses. It wasn’t hard to figure out who the voice was as only one other person besides Jingyi addressed Sizhui in this manner.

“Jin Ling, what are you and Zizhen doing here?” Sizhui was sure he saw Zizhen light up slightly being addressed without the title of young master.

“We went looking for you and Jingyi, you weren’t in the library like usual.” Jin Ling admitted, Zizhen continued to speak for them.

“Are you going somewhere?” Sizhui nodded his head in agreement.

“There are some disturbances in Caiyi town, myself and Jingyi are going to investigate.” Sizhui announced without much thought, Jingyi wanted to keep on walking instead of informing Jin Ling.

“Could we accompany you?” Zizhen poached as he saw the impatience in Jingyi’s current stance.

“I’m unsure, it could be dangerous and I don’t want you both to befall harm.” Sizhui admitted whilst he tightened his grip of his sword at his waist.

“Caiyi is a water town, correct?” Zizhen questioned for the pair of them, both Jingyi and Sizhui gave a swift nod in response.

“Rulan was raised in Yunmeng and I spent a large quantity of my childhood there. We both know how to swim and deal with any water ghouls should you face any.” Thinking the decision over Sizhui came to a swift conclusion that Jingyi wished had been different.

“Go grab your swords and meet us at the entrance.” With a simple smile Sizhui and Jingyi watched as the pair raced off in the direction that was their current accommodation.

“Sizhui!” Jingyi seethed to the sect heir as they continued to make their way down the never ending steps. “Why did you allow them to accompany us? They will both be at risk. If something happens to the Jin heir, not only will we suffer the tyranny of the Jin sect but also the wrath of sect leader Jiang!” Sizhui wasn’t too sure why Jingyi had such unfortunate thoughts, after all both boys could take care of themselves. They weren’t defenceless children.

“They could do with the experience. Also I enjoy their company, do you not?” Sizhui joked to his close friend, he was aware of the budding feelings the boy was experiencing from the Ouyang boy. It was obvious in how Jingyi spoke of the boy in such tender ways. Sadly Sizhui was oblivious to his own feelings, he was too similar to his father in that way.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

“So what are we looking for exactly?” Jin Ling pondered aloud as he continued to guide the boat along the streams with ease, Zizhen was on the opposite side of the boat but was leaving most of the guiding to the younger. Jingyi had donned his own boat just as Sizhui had, the pair taking up opposite sides to the pair.

“Any disturbances, the people of Caiyi town have mentioned an odd assortment of sounds at night. It could be anything from a mere haunting to a newly formed yao wanting to wreak havoc.” Jingyi answered, feeling happy he had more information than Jin Ling on the mission although now that he told Jin Ling he no longer had the upper hand. But Jingyi was too proud at that moment to realise it.

“You said you were raised in Yunmeng?” Sizhui tried to break the forming tension between his friends by indulging in their childhood history.

“Yes, my uncle Jiang raised me since I was a mere baby. However, when I turned thirteen the Jin sect wanted me to start studying in Lanling. They intend to announce me as the new sect leader when I turn eighteen.” The topic turned sour quicker than Sizhui had intended as he watched a dimness cross Jin Ling’s eyes.

“Although it is refreshing to be back beside the water once more, isn’t it Rulan?” Zizhen interrupted with a relaxing smile, whilst in Lanling the access to rivers and lakes is little to none especially within the Jin sect boundaries.

“It is,” Jin Ling admitted without much thought. “Although it would be more beautiful with lotuses.” This caught Jingyi and Sizhui’s attention, they had never seen one in person. Only through various picture books when younger or certain flora research journals. “When we have festivals back in Yunmeng we have lanterns float along the rivers, the sight of the lotus flowers being illuminated but the warm light alongside the beauty of the clear sight is enough to make one lose their breath.” Jin Ling fawned as he recalled the last time he’d attended the festival, it had been a long time since the Jin sect had been letting him return to Yunmeng less and less recently. He was sure his grandfather wasn’t even doing the work anymore just passing it off to him, he dreaded the list he’d have to deal with upon his return.

“You’ll have to invite us to one of these festivals in the future.” Jingyi declared as he leant against his oar which was pressed against the deck, they had arrived on a calm current which would guide them without interference.

“Absolutely, you also have to try the foods within Yunmeng. They are the complete opposite to the ones here.” Sizhui wasn’t too sure on that idea, he had remembered the soup his mother made one time when he was a kid. The spices had burned his taste buds so badly he couldn’t taste anything for days, someone had forbidden him from returning to the kitchen after that. If he had to take a guess it was probably his aunt who chased Wei Wuxian off. His defence had been that was what the food in Yunmeng had tasted like.

“We will have to see.” Sizhui awkwardly admitted whilst trying to refocus on where the river had been taking them. It was then he took notice of a shadow floating along the stream.

“Jingyi, do you see-” Sizhui didn’t manage to complete his sentence as he realised his best friend had disappeared, his oar hadn’t even made a sound when it hit the deck.

“Jin Ling, did you see where Jingyi went?” Sizhui began to speak but was greeted with silence once more, when he looked over the deck of the other boat was vacant of life. Taking a swift leap Sizhui landed on the deck, the two oars Jin Ling and Zizhen had been using were slowly seeping water across the various wooden boards.

“Young master Lan, is there a problem?” A disciple on a nearby boat hollered, when the disciple failed to receive a response they made their way onto the boat. It was then the Lan disciples began to panic.

“Young master Lan had vanished!”

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

“THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!” Jingyi hollered at the top of his voice at the poor unsuspecting Jin Ling who had found himself to be laying on the damp rocks of a cave.

“My fault? How is this my fault!” Jin Ling snapped at the older Lan, he had been taken just as Jingyi had.

“If it wasn’t for you distracting us with that story about Yunmeng then we would have been on guard for whatever took us.” Jin Ling couldn’t comprehend the foolish logic that the boy before him was suggesting. 

“Guys why don’t we just calm down for a second.” Zizhen attempted to defuse the situation but was quickly shut down.

“Not now Zizhen!” Knowing he wasn’t going to help the situation Zizhen sat himself beside Sizhui who had decided meditating would help him come up with a better plan to get them out of wherever they had ended up.

“Had any ideas yet?” Zizhen whispered to the one person who wouldn’t rip his head off at the moment.

“One. Although it doesn’t solve the issue of getting out of here. Merely getting us quiet so we can think properly.” Zizhen gave a huff of laughter at that, that plan sounded better and better by the second. With an annoyed sigh Sizhui gave up on his meditation, placed an elbow on his knee whilst he rested his face in his hand.

“Right. We were on the boats floating down the river, then I saw a shadow. Soon after we were taken from the boats and trapped in this cave which is only illuminated by the luminescent mushrooms.” Sizhui had hoped stating each fact would reveal something new, however there weren't many facts to begin with so he didn’t get far.

“And we have been stuck here for about three hours now.” Zizhen added, that struck as odd to Sizhui as how he was able to keep track of the time. Seeing the confusion on his face, Zizhen elaborated. “I have been counting the dripping of water, I got to about 10083 a while ago.” It was then that Sizhui jumped to his feet, although the cave was damp there wasn’t any place for water to form and drip off. At least not in this portion of the cave. The Lan heir began to run his hand along the wall's surface, traversing a few steps each time. The movements caused the other two to cease their arguing.

“Sizhui?” The three chorused when he stopped for longer than the other times. A smile snuck across Sizhui’s face at his realisation.

“Perfect.” Before the others could question further Sizhui drew his sword and launched an attack towards the rock surface. The trio thought he’d finally gone mad, but when the dust settled and revealed an old worn and wooden door they realised they should have more faith in him.

“Do you want to stay in this cave and continue to bicker?” Sizhui joked, he beckoned for the three to follow him as he sheathed his sword. It was when he tried to reach for the door handle Jingyi stopped him.

“Wait. We still don’t know who trapped us here, let me go first.” With that Jingyi pushed the door ajar slightly to allow his head to peer around. Soon followed by Zizhen, then Jin Ling and Sizhui to top it off. The four looked peculiar with just their heads poking out appearing stacked on top of one another.

“All clear.” Jingyi declared, although the other three knew it to be false. You couldn’t see a single thing through the dark corridor. It was then that Jin Ling used a talisman to form a slight ball of light which hovered around the centre of the small diamond the four of them had made.

“How did you do that?” Jingyi questioned in shock, the best he could do was throw various fire talismans which would be used up within seconds.

“It’s a talisman developed by one of my uncles.” Jin Ling admitted with pride, the two Lan’s knowing the elaborate family which was the Jin’s thought it best not to question which one it was. Zizhen knew of the pride which Jin Ling felt using one of the talismans he’d studied from Wei Wuxian’s old notes.

The group slowly made their way down the dank and dark cave, they had discovered the stalactite which had caused the continuous dripping noise. Zizhen had given up on counting at this point, as long as they made their escape it was pointless in counting. As the group continued their venture they began to come across various doors similar to the one they had been trapped behind earlier. Although none of them dared to open a single one, the smell alone was enough to make someone sick. It was evident what possibly lay behind the doors. It was then the group finally reached the final door which would possibly lead them to freedom, Sizhui wasn’t sure as to why but this place seemed familiar in some aspects. Like he’d visited these very halls himself, maybe even stayed within the cells at some point. But that was impossible, he’d never been captured to his knowledge.

“Let’s get out of here.” Jingyi declared as he began to open the exit door, but Sizhui wasn’t focused on that. He was transfixed on the closest cell, hand reaching out to open it.

“Sizhui?” Jin Ling questioned when he realised Sizhui wasn’t climbing the stairs alongside the others. The younger didn’t even have a chance to stop him as Sizhui flung the door open, the sight he was greeted with was one of nightmares. The mauled corpse of an individual, the few remaining pieces of flesh barely hanging onto the bones of the once living and breathing human. But it wasn’t just the state of the corpse which struck fear into Sizhui’s heart, it was the robes that it wore. Cloud white, well faded white with how much grime was stuck to them, accompanied by red sun motifs. The symbol of the Wen sect. As he glanced around the cell he could see markings along the wall, on one wall there appeared to be tally marks. The now rotting corpse must have been counting their final days here, but what made Sizhui feel even more sick was the various marks ingrained into the thick wooden door. Nail marks… The individual must have scratched their nails into the door in a desperate final attempt of escaping although it was futile.

Fear coursing through Sizhui’s bones he quickly made his escape, accepting Jin Ling’s hand as the pair raced to meet the other two atop.

“What took you two so long?” Zizhen questioned the panting pair, Jingyi had begun to wander and investigate their surroundings.

“I looked in a cell…” Sizhui managed to mutter out between breaths, the fear still trapped tight around his heart.

“Why would you do that!” Zizhen answered, he tried to retain a formality of calmness with the young master Lan, as he slammed the door shut behind the two, he wasn’t taking the chances of him wandering down there again. If he did Jingyi would not be the one to drag him back up, he’d seen enough of that place to last a lifetime.

“Got curious. Now lets-” Sizhui’s words failed to reach his lips as he took note of the structure Jingyi had begun to climb. Or more importantly the deteriorating housing establishment he’d clambered across.

“Guys! I think this was a housing establishment!” Jingyi carelessly called as he jostled the door open wider to see the inside, however his actions had caused the inhabitants to stir.

“GUYS! THERE IS SOMEONE LIVING IN HERE!” Jingyi practically screamed as he leapt from the front steps back to their sides, it was then the quiet groaning of a corpse was heard. But it wasn’t just one, it sounded like a horde was restrained within the walls. Although that was quickly proved false as the door and various panels of the walls faltered with ease which allowed the undead to march towards them.

“Not someone… Something…” Jingyi managed to mutter out, he had been on a couple night hunts with Sizhui and Zhu Lian, sometimes even with Lan Wangji, in the past but they had never encountered an amount such as this.

“Everybody this way!” Jin Ling shouted as he pointed out what appeared to be a somewhat more stable building, it looked to be built with more care and weather resistance. Jin Ling took up the rear of the group attempting to fend off one or two slightly faster corpses with Suihua. Once the three were inside Jin Ling sprinted for his life, allowing Jingyi to slam the door behind him whilst Sizhui began to lay talismans on the door which would make it harder for the corpses to make their way inside.

“What do we do? That door won’t hold forever.” Jingyi admitted, he jumped when the first crash was sounded against the door.

“We have to flee. We don’t stand a chance against that many alone.” Sizhui stated as he glanced over the room, his nerves were still shot after seeing more corpses with the Wen sect robes. His assumption about this place was beginning to be true.

“If we are to flee we should do it via sword, it’d be safer and quicker.” Jin Ling announced to the other three who nodded in agreement, each one drawing their swords. But as Sizhui caught sight of his reflection his hands began to stutter, he was in no fit state to fly right now.

“Sizhui?” Jin Ling placed a hand on the boy's shoulder in hopes of calming him slightly, but it only managed to frighten him causing Sizhui to crash into a nearby stack of papers. Papers which detailed various names of the occupants here at this labour camp. Despite Sizhui’s sincerest wishes it was evident that this was a labour camp, specifically a camp used to house Wen sect remnants. Although it was of no use now, they had all perished in various ways. As the papers scattered to Sizhui’s feet the boy took notice of some additional papers, death certificates if you could even call it that the handwriting appeared careless and ill thought. But there were also papers describing transfers, specifically the transfer of an old granny and a child of nearly three years of age.

That was when it had hit him, Sizhui had been to this camp before. He’d been locked away in that basement of nightmares when he’d been unable to perform a simple task a guard had requested of him, he remembered the guards laughing at him. He remembered his grandma trying to hide him away from the cruel glares which were the despicable men. He remembered voices, he couldn’t recall their exact words but the tone they’d given he could remember. His grandma in a begging tone, the guards laughing at her words, as well as mocking her. Then the sharp tone of another guard, followed by a smug tone and more laughter.

“Yuan!” Jingyi had his arms shaking his shoulders at this point, he had never called him by his birth name, well to Sizhui’s knowledge at least. But this was an extreme situation.

“I’m here. We should conserve our strength, Jingyi with me and Zizhen with Jin Ling.” The two nodded in agreement, Jingyi wished he could do the same. He wanted to be beside his best friend in whatever was happening in his mind. But his sword was built for agility not strength, when he’d carried himself and the Jin disciple on his sword that time it had been a slight stretch. Going an undetermined distance with two people? That was a recipe for disaster.

“Sizhui, you should go with young master Jin…” This caught the boy's attention, Jingyi could still feel him shaking slightly as his hands remained on Sizhui’s shoulders. “You are in no fit state to fly and my sword is built for agility not strength. I’ve seen how young master Jin flies. His sword may not be as agile as mine and yours but it has strength behind it.” With the pounding on the door increasing rapidly the group split into pairs. Sizhui stood in front of Jin Ling, the younger steadying Sizhui by holding him by the shoulders. Zizhen had grabbed hold of Jingyi, he’d never flown on the same sword as someone else before and feared of knocking Jingyi off by accident.

“Only the count of three soar as high as you can.” Jingyi declared as he unsheathed his sword.

“One,” The two in control began to hover their swords, ensuring to be steadier than usual due to the additional weights. “Two,” The crack of the door frame could be heard as a stronger strike was applied to the door. “Three!” Jingyi channelled spiritual energy into his sword, sending it flying through the roof and causing an escape route for them all. As the group soared overhead they could see the scale of what this labour camp was, it was a mining one of sorts. There were various paths which lead to the back mountains where emptied crates and abandoned mining tools were apparent. Sizhui felt his knuckles tighten as he saw the scene before him. He wondered ‘If we hadn’t been transferred, would we have ended up like they did?’ Sizhui was too freaked out to realise he had no knowledge of having a grandma prior to this moment, although he knew she’d have perished long ago. None of the Wen sect lived still, well apart from himself.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

The group had been flying for a little over an hour now, they had no idea where they had ended up or how they had arrived there for that matter. The conversations between the four of them were non-existent on the account of two of them being preoccupied on trying to spot any crucial landmarks whilst Sizhui was still contemplating the earlier scenes he’d witnessed.

“It’s getting late, do you think it would be worth stopping somewhere to rest for the night?” Jingyi proposed to the group, he could see the obvious toll the constant flying did to the two.

“Yes, preferably sooner rather than later…” Jin Ling managed to stutter out, he’d been keeping it to himself but he was actually terrified at being this high up in the sky. The only comfort he had was that if he was to fall Sizhui would hopefully jump into action and help him, although his silence throughout the journey made Jin Ling less and less sure.

“There! A small village let’s rest here.” Jingyi pointed out,  Zizhen and Jin Ling quickly made their descent to the small village with ease, the streets were illuminated with few lanterns. The only people traversing the streets were drunken individuals, everybody else was hidden indoors.

With their swords returned to their sheaths Jin Ling appeared to hand Sizhui back to Jingyi, the elder being able to guide the Lan heir a lot better than he could. Without a second thought Zizhen forced the nearby inn’s doors open causing everyone who was situated inside enjoying drinks to take notice of them. However, they quickly lost interest when the newcomers were covered in dirt and mud, they didn’t appear as entertaining as the drunkards had presumed with the dramatic entrance. Bringing the group to the front desk Zizhen began to bargain for rooms, the sharp nosed lady had informed him there weren't any rooms free. Zizhen knew that to be false, this woman always lied about the vacant rooms. Although if he had money to barter with she’d probably change her attitude, just as Zizhen was going to use the funds he’d been keeping safe for emergencies Jin Ling tossed various coins onto the wooden counter. The woman’s face glowed at the sight, it was double what was necessary to pay for at least four rooms.

“Oh, I believe there are two vacant rooms available.” The bitter woman sneered as she collected the coins, inspecting each one in case they were fake. They wouldn’t be, after all Jin Ling had a habit of taking directly from the Jin sect’s funds to ensure they wouldn’t be fake.

“Two tubs of water in each room as well.” Zizhen instructed the woman, she clicked her tongue in annoyance as she handed over the keys to each room. Jin Ling and Zizhen took one each respectively.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

“Right, who is staying in which room?” Jingyi declared as they stood outside the two rooms, Zizhen and Jin Ling had already unlocked the rooms and were about to step inside. They forgot it wasn’t just the pair of them like it usually was when they travelled, they had developed such a habit at this point.

“I’ll room with Zizhen, it’ll make things simpler right?” Jin Ling answered without thought as he tossed the key to Jingyi who caught it with ease. The elder nodded as he guided Sizhui inside, tonight would be an interesting one.

With the door firmly shut behind him Jingyi settled Sizhui onto the nearby bed, although there was only one bed that wasn’t Jingyi’s primary issue.

“Sizhui,” Jingyi began as he placed a hand on his friend's shoulder, Sizhui slowly glanced up in response. “I’ll quickly bathe then I’ll help you, okay?” The latter didn’t respond, only glancing out the window. The moon was barely visible through the dense clouds, yet a few rays of moonlight managed to pierce through. Knowing he wouldn’t get a response Jingyi disappeared behind the screen to disrobe, the only noise being the rustle of clothing falling to the floor followed by the watery ripples from Jingyi clambering into the tub. As he began to comb through the knots in hair, Jingyi began to replay the events of the day, questioning how the day had gotten away from them. It had nearly been lunch when they’d arrived at Caiyi town yet now it was the early hours of the night, if he had to guess it would be hai time soon. He was sure Sizhui would simply drop to sleep when that time came around, he always was excellent at keeping to a schedule. As the grime was slowly scrubbed from Jingyi’s body he didn’t take notice of Sizhui making his way to the window, carefully and quietly unlatching the door and allowing it to fly open. The moon wasn’t any clearer without the glass, but that wasn’t the issue to begin with. It was the fact that the cloud were there in the first place, the clouds which ran down the robes Sizhui worn, they travelled across every piece of clothing he wore. Covering his body in a haze of blues and white, hiding away the damaged and contorted body which Sizhui had. His body scarred, beaten black and blue over the years, through either himself or others. But part of his body was a pale red, the scar which revealed the childhood of someone who shouldn’t have been a Lan, the body of someone who shouldn’t have survived. The body of a soul who despite the unending threats thrown at him managed to live and survive.

The cultivator who came and murdered his parents, he avoided.

The first labour camp, he was transferred.

The second labour camp, he was rescued.

The burial mounds, he survived.

The siege, his skin burned yet he escaped.

The severe fever, he survived.

The unbearable whippings, he miraculously healed.

The corpses, he escaped.

It was as if he was destined to forever be entrapped in this cycle of suffering, healing then suffering once more.

“Sizhui?” Jingyi questioned as he made his way from behind the screen, a borrowed robe from the inn covering his body. His forehead ribbon was vacant on the account of his damp hair making it difficult to put on, he had a towel wrapped around the inkiness which was his hair in an attempt to dry it.

“I want to rest…” Was the only word which left Sizhui’s lips, the other not understanding the true meaning behind the words guided him to the screen.

“The quicker you bathe the quicker you can sleep.”

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

“What did you and young master Lan see in that cell?” Zizhen questioned whilst he was bathing behind the screen, Jin Ling was already washed so he’d settled for staring out the window at the moon, well the small portion of the moon he could see through the dense clouds.

“The corpse of someone.” Jin Ling replied, he was starting to get hungry and was beginning to debate on whether to ask the two next door if they wanted dinner as well.

“Who specifically?” There was the sound of water splashing as Zizhen began to rinse the soap studs from his hair.

“Someone of the Wen sect, their body was rotted beyond recognition.” The sound of splashing water was the only answer between the two. Not complacent with the refusal of an answer Jin Ling sat upright and began to glare at the dividing screen, knowing Jin Ling’s temperament Zizhen hurried in washing the remains of his body before clambering out to change into night robes kindly provided by the inn.

“You know something…” Jin Ling probed as he watched Zizhen slowly make his way over to the double bed, Zizhen had suggested himself sleeping on the floor but Jin Ling wouldn’t stand for it. Not in the Jin sect, definitely not in the Jiang sect and not here either.

“Know something? No. Theory? Yes.” Zizhen responded as he continued to towel dry his hair, it wouldn’t end up completely dry but Zizhen still tried his best.

“This theory being?” Jin Ling continued to try and coax an answer out of his close friend.

“It’s not something I should state without proof…” Of course Zizhen couldn’t just state his theory to one of the people it would affect the most. After all Jin Ling had suffered greatly due to the Wen sect, he’d lost his grandparents to them, his uncle had suffered so badly from them that it had driven him to demonic cultivation which henceforth led to the demise of his parents. If Zizhen was to even mention the slight idea that the heir to the Lan sect of all people could be a remnant of the Wen clan would sound impossible to some people, if others heard this idea they’d probably call him insane. But Jin Ling wouldn’t, he knew he wouldn’t say something of this scale without cautious thought backing it.

“If what I theorise is to be true, it is something I have no right disclosing.” Sizhui has his own right whether or not to reveal his true blood ties, many people believed Lan Sizhui to be the son of Lan Xichen. After all, the man was old enough to be his actual father, but not many knew he was the son of Lan Wangji and even fewer knew he wasn’t actually related by blood.

“Shouldn’t we be resting by now, we have to leave early in the morning if we hope to make it to Gusu.” Zizhen began not thinking of his words till Jin Ling poached the question.

“How do you know we aren’t in Gusu anymore?” The realisation slowly dawned on Zizhen, he’d stated too much.

“Because… we are in… Bailing… Where the… Bailing Ouyang clan is…” As the words slowly filtered through Jin Ling’s mind the realisation hit him. They were in Zizhen’s hometown.

“Zizhen… If you felt uncomfortable here why didn’t you say and we could have flown to the next village over.” Jin Ling offered as he placed a hand on his friend's shoulder, he felt guilty for not realising sooner with Zizhen’s out of place actions.

“It’s fine. After all we were both exhausted, young master Lan wasn’t in the most defendable position if something was to happen whilst we continued flying.” Zizhen had a point, whatever was going through Sizhui’s mind was causing him to shut down completely rendering him almost immobile.

“Fine. But come morning we’re leaving as soon as possible, if your father finds you here...” Zizhen nodded in agreement, he dreaded to think what his father would think if he saw him. Still carrying the name of Ouyang, still donning the robes of the Bailing Ouyang sect yet traversing with the young masters of both Jin and Lan. He had only suffered one interaction with his cousin who had taken up the title of the young master of Ouyang or more accurately the young mistress of Ouyang, it wasn’t the greatest meeting.

┏━━━◥◣◆◢◤━━━━┓

“I see you are still alive.” Came the cold voice of a female, she had come to investigate the rumours of the Bailing Ouyang disciple recovering in the healers. However she hadn’t expected to see Ouyang Zizhen of all people.

“Liu Chen, what a pleasant surprise. I’m surprised clan leader Ouyang allowed you to leave the village.” Zizhen began, he knew ever since his first few disappearing acts his cousins had been forbidden leaving the village without his permission. Which wasn’t exactly the easiest thing to obtain.

“Ouyang Chen, my name is Ouyang Chen now.” Despite the cold front she gave Liu Cheng was desperate to give a kind word to her cousin, but the position she was currently in didn’t give her the opportunity to do so.

“Uncle misses you, he believes you were coerced into abandoning the clan. As do many others.” Liu Chen continued her cold front, only giving facts to her older cousin. She wouldn’t admit it but she wished he would take back the title of the young master of Ouyang, the responsibility was a lot greater than she had intended. Instead of gaining the respect she thought she desired she was instead looked down upon, saying she swooped in to gain the power of a clan leader without the hard work that was necessary. Some people had even suggested she’d seduced her way into power, yet that simply wasn’t true. Liu Chen hadn’t been overly close with Ouyang Zizhen when he lived in Bailing but she wasn’t distant and jealous as his other cousins had. Well not as jealous, but that jealousy had completely melted away now.

“Let him believe that. Just know this was of my own decision, nobody from the Jiang or Jin sect forced me here. Despite the unfortunate circumstances I now find myself in.” Zizhen knew he could go back, despite the harshness his father showed towards him he truly did care. After losing his wife when Zizhen was too young to remember the Ouyang clan leader was adamant about keeping his family close and protected, be it nephew or niece or even entrapping his son for his own safety.

“How do you do it?” Liu Chen muttered, despite it being just the two of them she was adamant of holding her mask although it was slowly fracturing. “How did you manage to be the heir for so long? Everyone looked up to you, everyone looked forward to the day you became clan leader…” It was then the final crack in her mask allowed it to shatter to pieces, Liu Chen began to act as the frightened fifteen year old she was. “Everyone hates me, they only see the faults I have. They only see the damage left and what I’ll probably never be able to fix. Zizhen, how can I fix this?” Liu Chen grasped hold of Zizhen’s hand as he lay on the bed watching each emotion dance across her face. He did pity his cousin, she had been kind to him throughout the years. But he couldn’t save her, what would he say if he was to go back? He wouldn’t be the same, he’d witnessed too much. Experienced a life so different to the one he had lived prior to it.

“You can’t fix it. You’ll never be able to fix the problems we suffer through the Ouyang clan.” This didn’t even bring a shred of hope to the already shattered and distraught Liu Chen, only making her heart fall to depths she couldn’t imagine.

“But you can stop others suffering as we have.” That began to raise the girls' spirits once more.

“The problems fa- clan leader Ouyang will leave you with can never be fixed. History may remember all the burdens you will have to bear, it may remember how you never fixed a single one of those burdens. But it will know of how you prevented those issues from occurring to the younger generations, they will remember how you focused on the youth. On the problems that mattered more than some stuck up traditions.” Hearing the encouraging words of her older cousin brought strength back to Liu Chen, she began to feel confident in what she had been planning to achieve when she became clan leader.

“You would have been perfect for the clan leader, you know?” Liu Chen rose to her feet to begin her exit. Zizhen nodded his head in acknowledgment.

“I know. But I prefer this, people like you deserve it more than I ever could.”

┗━━━◢◤◆◥◣━━━━┛

Thinking back on his choice all those years ago, even though it was the foolish decision of a child, it was a decision Zizhen would never take back. He was given freedom to do as he pleased, but sticking by Jin Ling was also a good option in his mind.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

As the night continued to drag on Jin Ling couldn't sleep. It wasn’t due to the fact of Zizhen’s incessant snoring, that he was long used to. No it wasn’t the fact he was in an unknown inn in a village he much rather he wasn’t in. It wasn’t even the fact he couldn’t stop scratching his left calf for an unknown reason. It was the fear he’d seen in Sizhui’s eyes playing on a loop inside his head. In the few months he’d known the Lan fear wasn’t an emotion he’d witnessed, in honesty if Jin Ling was to give an opinion on Sizhui’s everyday personality he’d say it was one of someone a few years older. It was as if Sizhui didn’t want to be the child he was, much rather the front of an adult who was the perfect Lan disciple. Jin Ling couldn’t fault him, he was the heir to the Lan sect after all, he had to be the example of the Lan sect just like his father was when he’d been his age. But whilst spending time with Sizhui Jin Ling had made the discovery of the true Lan Sizhui. The boy who loved tending to his and his father’s rabbits in the back hill, the boy who loved to spend endless hours reading about whatever he could get his hands on that being fact or fiction, the boy who hummed to himself as he worked tirelessly on his studies, the boy who loved to play various tunes on his guqin whether it be a cultivation technique or simply a tune he’d learned elsewhere. And somewhere along the way of discovering this version of Lan Sizhui Jin Ling had managed to fall for the boy. As the thought crossed his mind Jin Ling’s face began to heat up. The idea alone was enough to drive him in endless circles, he couldn’t ask Zizhen for advice on this. He was even more clueless than himself, the pair of them had grown up with little examples of what pure true love looked like. They had received familial love, Jiang Cheng for Jin Ling and Zizhen had his father and cousins for the few years he lived with them. After that the pair had a brotherly bond between the pair of them, but nothing further than that. But thinking back Jin Ling hadn’t witnessed any romantic love, his uncle Jiang Cheng was single. He couldn't dream of posing the question to his other uncle Jin Guangyao, although he didn’t exactly call him an uncle. That left him in an awkward situation of figuring out the situation himself.

Deciding fresh air could possibly be the best solution to his problems Jin Ling carefully crawled his way out from under the covers so as to not disturb the sleeping Zizhen who seemed very content in his world of slumber. Sliding on his boots Jin Ling slunk off into the darkness of the hallway, being surprised to see there was candle light at the end of the hall towards the stairway which led to the main hall of the inn. Jin Ling knew that there would always be people awake at odd hours of the evening. After all in Lanling it was rare to spot a moment of quiet, that was one of the reasons Jin Ling preferred Yunmeng over Lanling. The peace and quiet the pier held at night and early mornings was one not to be taken lightly, after all the beauty of the early morning sunrise pieced together with the refreshing sounds of water lapsing over itself could put anyone at peace.

As Jin Ling made his way downstairs he was taken aback to see none other than Lan Sizhui sat at one of the tables, cup in hand with a somewhat clean teapot. The paint work looked quickly done and the lid held a crack and a missing chip, although it still got the job it was intended for done.

“Sizhui?” Jin Ling poached, the boy didn’t even react to his name. Just continuing to stare out the high window which perfectly displayed the moon in all its glory. As Sizhui continued to sip at the liquid in his cup he failed to notice Jin Ling taking an adjacent seat to him.

“Sizhui, what are you doing up?” Jin Ling tried again, he tried to take the cup away from Sizhui. The drink appeared to be cold so he assumed it wasn’t tea, but thought it was best it was out of his hand. Yet Sizhui downed the liquid before he could be stopped.

“Do you want to join me for a cup?” Sizhui offered a confused and concerned Jin Ling, with no other options the younger simply nodded his head. He watched as Sizhui unsteadily poured what he now presumed to be water from the teapot. Some of the liquid spilled onto the table but Jin Ling wasn’t going to complain.

Sizhui poured another cup for himself whilst Jin Ling awaited, it was then he took notice of a rich smell. He’d smelt it earlier when they first arrived but couldn’t figure it out exactly. That wasn’t until Sizhui raised his cup towards him and the pair began to drink. The liquid immediately burned the young Jin Ling’s throat due to not being accustomed to it.

“Sizhui!” Jin Ling coughed out as he forcefully took the cup from the elder, although it inevitably fell to the floor which led to the shattering which sounded like an explosion in the silence of the night. But Jin Ling didn’t care, what he cared for was why his friend was drinking alcohol in the god forbidden hours of the night. Weren’t the Lan set to a strict schedule? Sizhui should have been asleep hours ago, he’d expect this kind of act from Jingyi over Sizhui. Although Jin Ling would give the boy credit, Jingyi wouldn’t be this foolish as to get himself drunk in a random inn.

“Jin Ling… You broke my cup…” Sizhui muttered, although the tone it was in was an empty one. It scared Jin Ling slightly, there was always a happiness or some form of emotion behind him but now there lay nothing but a barren wasteland.

“Sizhui, what is wrong? First you shut down from both Jingyi and myself,” Jin Ling didn’t feel the need to mention Zizhen on the account of the pair rarely communicating apart from keeping Jin Ling and Lan Jingyi away from one another. “Now you're out here getting drunk! Isn’t there rules against this?” Jin Ling only received a blank stare in response.

“A-Die drank inside the barrier.” This time Sizhui appeared to convey a laugh with his response. “But uncle says we can’t tell grandmaster Lan…” As Sizhui leant towards Jin Ling and towards the candle light the younger noticed the heavy flush on the boy's face. He was heavily wasted.

“But we can’t call grandmaster Lan that… He is Lan Qiren…” Sizhui continued to giggle at what appeared as nonsense to Jin Ling, the elder appeared to spin in his seat as he continued to speak.

“Lan Qiren is not A-Die or uncle’s uncle anymore…” Sizhui appeared to lose his balance at this point, his body falling until it collided with Jin Lings. “But that’s a secret… Shhh…” Sizhui brought a finger to his lips as he ushered out his words. The younger was now stuck with the Lan heir on his lap in a giggling fit of madness.

“Sizhui you're not making sense…” Jin Ling muttered out, he wanted to help him. He really did, but with the little information he had he was hopeless. He couldn’t even call for Jingyi, if he did shout and awaken the other guests who knew what rumours would begin to spread of the Lan heir.

“Jin Ling is pretty…” Sizhui stated without warning, raising a hand to cup Jin Ling’s face. The boy in question was too stunned to respond, he had his own feelings in this matter so hearing the older state such things made this all the more difficult. “Jin Ling has delicate features…” This was something he didn’t want to hear, Jin Ling had heard the incessant rumours of how he actually looked like a young maiden. Yet hearing it from Sizhui hurt more. “But strong too…” The drunken Lan raised himself from lying against Jin Ling, half twisted whilst laying on his side. But he could clearly see the stunned and malfunctioning stupor that was Jin Ling. The younger had just managed to grasp a single thought to address the situation when Sizhui grabbed hold of his robes.

Chapter Text

“We are doing everything possible in order to locate the young masters, Zewu-Jun.” A Lan disciple declared as he bowed to the sect leader. It had been two days since the group had traversed to Caiyi town and mysteriously disappeared, everyone had immediately been sent out to locate them to no avail. It was as if they had disappeared into thin air as the lead disciple that returned that day had stated. 

“Thank you, I appreciate your efforts.” Lan Xichen responded with his usual smile, although the shattering of a cup quickly made the Lan disciple feel on edge. Ever since his son’s disappearance no one apart from Lan Xichen and Zhu Lian dared approach the man on the account of the frost which currently surrounded him.

“Hanguan-Jun, you need to be more careful.” Zhu Lian exclaimed as she saw the blood begin to drip from the man’s hand, she could tell he was reaching his limit of sitting by and doing nothing in the search for Lan Sizhui and the others. But Lan Xichen had instructed him to remain within the boundaries of the Cloud Recesses, on the account of not knowing who or why the boys were abducted.

“I am fine.” The frosty Lan declared as he merely wiped his hand on the robes which pooled at his feet whilst he sat at the small table. Lan Xichen knew he had to find the boys sooner rather than later, otherwise he’d be adding his brother to the list of missing people.

“May I be excused sect leader?” The disciple questioned almost halfway out the door already, the elder simply nodded his head keeping his attention on his younger brother. With the disciple gone Lan Xichen could drop the formalities.

“Wangji we will find them, we must be patient.” Lan Xichen took a seat opposite his brother as he poured himself and everyone else a drink.

“I am patient brother.” Lan Wangji answered in a cold tone, Zhu Lian thought it best not to comment at the moment. Especially when the people she cared about were also missing.

“Wangji, A-Yuan is a competent boy. He wouldn’t be heir to the Lan sect if he wasn’t. I’m sure himself and the others will be her-” Lan Xichen didn’t have the chance to finish his soothing words when a female disciple burst through the doors, if Lan Xichen remembered rightly she was supposed to be on guard duty to the main gate at this current moment.

“Sect leader Lan, Hanguan-Jun, Zhu Lian.” The disciple bowed in acknowledgment of the three.

“What is it?” Lan Xichen requested immediately, this woman wouldn’t burst in without reason.

“The young masters. They are back.” The trio immediately leapt to their feet without thought for formalities.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

“Young master Jin, are you sure you sustained no injuries?” The healer questioned the boy for what felt like the twentieth time. The other three had been thoroughly checked over for injuries but Jin Ling refused, he knew nothing was wrong with himself and didn’t need some doctor to confirm something he already knew.

“I am fine. Not a scratch, now can I see the others.” As soon as the four had stepped onto the premises of the Cloud Recesses they had been split apart to be analysed. Jin Ling thought it all ridiculous.

“As young master Jin wishes.” The healer stepped aside whilst he allowed the boy to leave, however when he arrived outside he didn’t expect to see Sizhui squished in a hug by his father whilst his uncle merely restrained a laugh, Jingyi was in the same situation by an older female disciple Jin Ling had seen before. If he had to take a guess she was either his older sister or shijie. Seeing Zizhen standing alone watching the groups, Jin Ling decided to join him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

“How about we go get something to eat? I’m starving after all that flying.” Jin Ling joked to his friend who appeared to perk up at the prospect. However, Jin Ling’s plans were quickly halted by the young mistress of Ouyang.

“Zizhen!” She hollered as she launched herself at the boy, trapping him in an inescapable hug. Zizhen assumed she’d lost the cold front when she realised he could have been dead somewhere.

“Liu Chen, what are you doing?” Zizhen questioned, which confused many in the room who knew her as Ouyang Chen.

“I came to check up on you, can’t I see my older cousin?” Everyone remained silent in between the two’s catch up, it looked like their relationship was a complicated one.

“Of course you can. But I thought you wouldn’t want to be seen with me?” Zizhen took notice of the silence within the room, he could tell everyone was listening in.

“I don’t care anymore.” Liu Chen declared with determination Zizhen was sure wasn’t there before. “I thought about what you said. And you're right.” Liu Chen grabbed hold of her cousin's hands now staring him directly in the eye. “And I’m determined to make changes now, not wait until I’m sect leader. I guess it took nearly losing you to realise.” There were visible tears in Liu Chen’s eyes now, the girl now filled with determination began to drag the boy out of the healers.

“I believe it’s time you greet the disciples again, you might not be of the Bailing Ouyang clan anymore but you're still their Shige.” With that the two cousins were gone, Jin Ling felt a smile creep onto his lips at seeing Zizhen reconnect with his family. He had felt guilty allowing Zizhen to avoid them for so long, but now he had the chance to be a family again.

However, that left Jin Ling alone. Not wanting to intrude on the Lan family affairs Jin Ling took himself to the hallways, he had no plan as to where he was going but he’d allow his legs to carry him somewhere away from the others. Especially Sizhui, that night was still fresh in his mind.

┏━━━◥◣◆◢◤━━━━┓

Sizhui had grasped hold of Jin Ling’s robes, pulling the younger man closer than he’d ever been to the Lan, feeling fear creep through his body Jin Ling swiftly twisted their positions so Jin Ling was atop of Sizhui now. He knew what Sizhui was trying to do, but Jin Ling couldn’t bring himself to let Sizhui kiss him. Not in this current state, it would be wrong and Jin Ling feared his self restraint would fall away easily if provoked.

Before Jin Ling could attempt to drag Sizhui back to his and Jingyi’s room the elder pushed him aside. Grasping for the teapot, without a second thought he quickly began to down the contents.

“Sizhui!” Jin Ling exclaimed as he attempted to wretch the pot away, however to no avail as Sizhui jumped atop the table. To say his movements had been slow and sluggish earlier he was like the wind.

“Sizhui you shouldn’t be drinking this much, it’s bad for your health.” Jin Ling had seen the effects of prolonged drinking after all, his grandfather was always drinking and now suffered ill health. Although Jin Ling didn’t know of the man personally he heard the rumours.

“My core burns it away.” With that Sizhui took another mouthful of the liquid, a slight stream passing his lips which he quickly wiped away with his sleeve. Satisfaction playing on his lips.

“It’s so quiet…” Sizhui muttered as Jin Ling scrambled on top of the table in an attempt to capture him.

“Hand me the teapot.” Jin Ling extended a hand, he didn’t want to fight Sizhui after all the odds weren’t in his favour as the previous fight had ended in Jin Ling losing.

“You’ll have to catch me first.” Sizhui declared with a smirk as he glided along to the next table, with little choice remaining Jin Ling followed suit although a smile also played along his lips. The pair danced across the various tables in what looked like a beautiful rhythm, each landing soundless yet never lasting for long as they jumped to the next table. Sizhui didn’t take a sip from the pot once whilst jumping across each table with Jin Ling mere moments behind, his joy of having the younger as company completely silencing the thoughts that had previously been causing him such torment, his presence worked better than the alcohol ever could as his core continuously burned off the alcohol resulting in the cycle of drinking more. Sizhui wasn’t sure why he turned to alcohol of all things to solve his problems, maybe because he’d seen it work so well for his parents in the past. First Wei Wuxian whilst in the burial mounds, the man attempted to waste his days away there although that was until Wen Qing had restricted his access. Then Lan Wangji had tried to find answers at the bottom of the jar, Sizhui had presumed he’d found the answer he was looking for as the man hadn’t touched a single drop since he was but a mere child. His father never did tell him that he’d wasted time looking for the answer in that hopeless jar, after all he’d never been made aware of his son seeing him in such a depressed and soulless condition.

The pair continued their rhythmic movements until Sizhui slipped on one of the table clothes, caught off guard the pot simply slipped from his hands. The pottery shattered with ease as it collided with the ground, yet Sizhui’s body never reached the ground. He was held in place by Jin Ling’s carefully placed hands, the pair looked like they’d reached the end of a dance piece, the pair held in a dramatic dipping position. Although reverse of what one would expect it was still a beautiful sight to behold between the pair of infatuated lovebirds. Although they didn’t know it.

With the excitement beginning to fade Sizhui’s adrenaline which had managed to keep him awake for so long finally resulted in him passing out in the younger boy's arms. Seeing the restful and content look to his face, Jin Ling could only smile in admiration. He couldn’t even begin to imagine what brought Sizhui to this point but he wanted to know, he wanted to be able to help in whatever way he possibly could. He wouldn’t sit idly by and watch as the one he’d slowly come to realise was the one he loved suffered, no matter if it be rain or shine. It didn’t matter if Sizhui was to commit the most heinous crime there was, although the younger didn’t think he was possible to commit such a thing, he would be beside him and defend him. He could only wish Sizhui would return the favour.

┗━━━◢◤◆◥◣━━━━┛

Wandering throughout the Cloud Recesses Jin Ling found himself in the back hill, the bunny pen not too far away. However, the young boy didn't feel like visiting them right now. He instead settled himself under a tree, the leaves giving him shade from the slight sun which pierced through the clouds. As Jin Ling lay amongst the grass with the warmth of the sun across his body he felt himself begin to lull to sleep, the gentle winds not helping in his attempts to remain awake.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

“Where did you go?” Lan Xichen began to question the pair of Lan’s, after their reunion all five had returned back to the room which the adults had been occupying earlier.

“Originally we were located in a cave with no exits.” Sizhui began for them, although he could feel his hands beginning to shake slightly he allowed them to remain hidden beneath his sleeves. “After various hours of waiting and listening I deduced that one of the walls had to be hollow. With various movements along the wall I figured which portion was the weakest and struck.” The three Lan’s listened intently to the explanation in hopes of revealing a detail to their captor.

“This led to us traversing down a long stretch until…” Sizhui trailed off his words, Jingyi took this as an opportunity to step in.

“That was until we reached another door which led to a long staircase, at the top you could tell what the place we were in was used for.” Jingyi was about to answer but Sizhui beat him to it.

“It was a dungeon. Run by a sect, if I assume it was a wealthy one. A small clan wouldn’t have been able to build something to that degree, the main building appeared well built unlike the others. That poor infrastructure was intentional.” It was then that Sizhui silenced himself in the conversation, those incessant thoughts were beginning to creep up again and although he couldn’t remember exactly how he’d managed to silence the voices for so long he could recall the distinct smell of alcohol on his robes the following morning accompanied by a severe headache. Sizhui presumed he’d taken an unknown amount of alcohol, but to repeat that here whilst he was home would be difficult. Possibly he could sneak off into Gusu to acquire some of the famous emperor's smile, although he doubted that would be possible now. His father would be keeping an acute eye on him now.

“I began to explore our surroundings once at surface level, however the decrepit building turned out to house many corpses. Specifically reanimated corpses, not just a few either. There were nearly forty, possibly even fifty.” Jingyi exclaimed, recalling the events which had struck a fear he hadn’t felt before in his life. “It was then we retreated to a building before we fled on our swords, we didn’t know what else to do.” Jingyi admitted with reluctance, fleeing from a situation like that wasn’t the most Lan thing to do.

“It was the right thing to do.” Zhu Lian added which shocked the two boys, a warm smile graced Lan Xichen lips as he added. “Mistress Lian is correct, you were overwhelmed in numbers. Is there anything else you can tell us, any details which struck you as odd?” Jingyi looked towards Sizhui at this point, he had omitted quite a few details to Sizhui’s behaviour, he felt telling his uncle and father would put him in an even worse situation. There was only one detail he believed he could admit which wouldn’t put Sizhui in a precarious situation.

“I didn’t recognise the robes of the corpses,” Sizhui’s breath hitched as he heard the words begin to leave Jingyi’s lips, the boy had no idea of what he was revealing. “It wasn’t of non-cultivators, the pattern was too unique. Possibly of a clan no longer active, they were various shades of white accompanied by red insignia.” The three immediately looked to Lan Sizhui at hearing this information, now realising this wasn’t some mishap with a ghoul or demon. The perpetrator had been targeting someone, that being of the Lan heir. The others had just happened to be collateral damage.

“Jingyi, can you give us a moment with A-Yuan?” Lan Xichen requested, although he being a sect leader Jingyi saw it more as an instruction so without second thought bowed before slipping out the room.

“A-Yuan,” Lan Wangji began to his son, however as tears began to traipse down his cheeks the man immediately moved to Sizhui’s side. “What happened, what did you see?” Lan Wangji knew this was difficult for him, seeing that amount of people dead, especially people that were just as he was. Affiliated with the name Wen, killed without a grave or soul to remember them by.

“There were so many…” Sizhui began, his hands trembling more and more as he grasped hold of his robes in an attempt to ground himself. “So many bodies, so many unrestful souls… A-Die… I was there…” That struck as odd to Lan Wangji, Sizhui had been rescued from Qiongqi path. Not whatever labour camp he’d been whisked away to.

“A-Yuan, you were at Qiongqi path when Wei Ying rescued your family.” Sizhui shook his head, he knew that memory was real. He couldn’t remember it a hundred percent clearly but he could remember being in that cell, he could remember crying for his grandmother. He could remember the guards' voices, the yellow robes they had worn.

“No… I was at that camp… I was thrown into those dungeons… Myself and granny were there!” When stating the words of having a grandma the realisation struck Lan Sizhui, he didn’t just have his uncle, aunt and Wei Wuxian take care of him in the burial mounds. His grandma had been his primary caretaker, that was until he was whisked away from her. He hadn’t even had the opportunity to bid her farewell…

“A-Yuan you remember?” Lan Xichen exclaimed in shock whilst Lan Wangji wrapped a comforting arm around his son in hopes of grounding him.

“No… I… I don’t want to remember!” Lan Sizhui hollered as he began to pull at his hair, it was too painful to remember. He wished he’d never known he was a Wen remnant, wished he never knew of a family he’d so tragically lost. Wen Yuan was lost to history, he wanted to be Lan Yuan, the boy who had only Lan Wangji, Wei Wuxian and Lan Xichen as relatives.

“If you don’t want to then you don’t have to.” Zhu Lian reassured, she knew better than anyone that certain memories were better left buried than returning to the surface. Although she also knew that sometimes it wasn’t a choice in what the mind recalled and what it didn’t.

“Sizhui, why don’t you rest for the afternoon. I’m sure Hanguan-Jun, sect leader Lan and myself have heard everything.” His breathing returning to somewhat steady Sizhui nodded, pulling away from his father as he began to make his way out the room. Once the door was closed and a few moments passed ensuring Sizhui had moved afar Lan Wangji turned to the woman.

“Zhu Lian, why did you say that to him? He has a right to know where he came from, his true heritage.” Lan Wangji spat, he’d kept too many secrets from his son over the years. He wasn’t going to start doing it again.

“Have you ever thought of what Sizhui wants?” That reigned silence over the room, with her point made Zhu Lian continued. “Ever since he’s been made aware of his true roots Sizhui hasn’t been himself. He doubts himself, and I for one cannot blame him. Being told that your whole life you’ve led for thirteen years, the concept that you were a noble Lan could be torn to shreds due to the fact you were born to another person. It’s torture, how do you think I felt when I began to recall my roots.” Zhu Lian snapped at the pair, the two Lan’s being left speechless. As far as they were aware Zhu Lian’s memory was irreparable, the only thing she recalled was she had to save someone. That was when the Lan sect had taken her in, given her a name. An identity for herself, yet she never knew where her roots belonged that was until someone arrived in the Cloud Recesses.

“Zhu Lian, you remember where you come from?” Lan Wangji knew where Zhu Lian had come from, knew of her true name the same as Lan Xichen did. But the pair had decided it would be better if she’d be reinvented with a new identity for not only their safety but hers.

“I was born and raised in Yunmeng, I know not of who my family was or what life I lived. But I do know one thing,” Zhu Lian in took a sharp breath before continuing. “I knew Wei Wuxian, I knew the young master Jin. I doubt I’ll ever figure out as to why but just know that if any ill fate befalls them I shall personally hold you responsible.” With that the woman swiftly took her leave, slamming the door behind her which resulted in only her teacup from earlier knocking over. Its contents spilled over the white table, staining it with an easily reversible colour of brown hues.

“Wangji, things are beginning to get out of hand. How many more incidents will it take for you to realise we can’t help everyone.” Lan Xichen complained as he began to mop up the remains of the tea, the stain could easily be washed away but her actions could not be forgotten.

“Brother has forgotten the principles.” Was Lan Wangji’s simple answer as he too took his leave, reaching the door he recited two rules. “Embrace the entirety of the world. Do not fail to carry out your promise.”

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

Jin Ling hadn’t expected company when he awoke, he’d taken himself to quite a remote location that not many disciples visited to his knowledge. Although he was relieved it was only Sizhui beside him his heart failed to not increase in pace.

“Do you ever wish you could change history?” Sizhui uttered, he wasn’t aware of the fact Jin Ling was awake yet. He’d probably been talking to him whilst he was asleep, deciding to listen in on the forthcoming conversation Jin Ling remained in the grass.

“I wish I could. I wish I hadn’t become Hanguan-Jun’s son, I should have died on that mountain.” Jin Ling had to restrain a gasp at the tragic words which slipped past Sizhui’s lips, no one of his age should wish such a fate for himself. “I only cause more problems for my family. A-Niang got stabbed because I’m alive, A-Die has to constantly worry over me, uncle has to accept someone like me who is not even a pure Lan as the heir because there isn’t anyone else.” A tear slipped from Sizhui’s eye at this point, the look plastered across his face was only reminding Jin Ling of the events a few days prior.

“On top of that, Grandmaster Lan is punished because I was too stubborn to die when he tried to kill me.” Hearing the sniffles leave Sizhui, Jin Ling felt his heart wretch in pain. “Sorry, I’m now telling you all this when you have your own problems. I’ll leave you now.” As Sizhui began to rise to his feet in order to traverse elsewhere he was stopped by a hand grasping hold of his wrist.

“I’m willing to listen. If you’ll let me.” Jin Ling replied with nothing but a sincere look on his face, he wasn’t going to pity Sizhui, he knew that wasn’t what the boy wanted. He merely wanted someone to listen and understand.

“Jin Ling… I’m tainted… Why would someone like you from a righteous background want to be by my side?” Sizhui couldn’t comprehend the idea of someone like Jin Ling wanting to stick around someone so broken like himself.

“Follow me.” Jin Ling instructed as he rose to his feet, pulling at Lan Sizhui’s sleeve as he began to lead him away from the back hills, towards the Jingshi. However, his goal was just outside the Chunshi, the building had been built twenty metres away from the Jingshi but the layout was devised in a way that one wouldn’t be able to simply spot the Lan heirs room from afar. It was a clever trick the architects had devised in order to give the young Lan more privacy. This also allowed for an additional courtyard to be devised, in which a small pond was constructed across the centre, allowing individuals to walk around if desired. Across the centre there stretched a carefully crafted bridge. Within the small pond a variety of plants were housed, including lotus plants. Just like there had been in the burial mounds when A-Yuan was a child, a simple memory but a fond one for him. Jin Ling had enjoyed the pond himself, the lotus plants reminding him of his home in Lotus pier.

“Why did you bring me here?” Sizhui began as Jin Ling dragged him to the centre of the small bridge, there was silence surrounding the pair as there was never anyone in the surrounding area, people tried to avoid it no matter the time of day.

“To show you something,” Jin Ling then dragged Sizhui to the railings of the small bridge, one could see as the small critters which inhabited the pond swam about perfectly content. It wasn’t until a frog no smaller than a child's palm leapt from a lily pad, knocking the petals of a nearby lotus flower causing it to slowly break apart. Sizhui had never seen this happen before, his nails began to dig into the railing seeing such a thing occur. Taking note of this Jin Ling placed a hand against his shoulder.

“Keep watching.” Was the only words which left the younger, the pair continued to watch as more petals began to fall from the flower until all that remained was the more beautiful pale pink petals in the centre. The sight managed to draw a gasp from Sizhui’s lips, bringing a smile to Jin Ling’s own.

“You see, despite it being pretty on the outside it still held more beauty once being damaged.” Jin Ling didn’t take his eyes away from the bloom for a second as he spoke, as if imagining something else while speaking so endearingly for a plant.

“But won’t the petals be more delicate towards the centre?” Sizhui questioned whilst his tight grip remained on the railing, with his natural strength as a Lan it was impressive there wasn’t already irreparable damage.

“They might be, but over time the plant will grow more petals to safeguard itself once more. Or something else could always intervene to keep it safe.” It was at this point the gears clicked inside Sizhui’s mind.

“Or someone…” The elder muttered, his gaze turning towards Jin Ling who was now glancing towards Sizhui.

“Lan Sizhui. I-“ Despite having hyped himself up to speak these words from his heart Jin Ling appeared to stall, but only for a moment as he continued. “I like you!” Realising the words had now passed his lips Jin Ling’s face bloomed into a lavish red, almost competing with the colour of the cinnabar dot on his forehead. Realising he hadn’t given a response Sizhui grasped hold of Jin Ling’s hands, he hadn’t realised it but Sizhui had left marks where his fingers had dug into the railings.

“I like Jin Ling, too.” Sizhui held Jin Ling’s hands closer to his chest at that moment, however the younger feared Sizhui hadn’t properly understood him.

“No. I- I, I mean that… I like you as one would a l- lover…” It was now that Jin Ling’s face had turned a darker shade of crimson that his cinnabar dot looked pale in comparison. Sizhui failed to withhold his laughter as he pulled Jin Ling closer, the space between them shrinking by the second.

“It’s mutual.” A soft blush dusted ever so lightly over Sizhui’s face, however his ears were just as Jin Ling’s face was. Not knowing how to act next Jin Ling froze in place, feeling the tenseness in the boy Sizhui pulled him into a soft embrace. The elder felt as Jin Ling’s body slowly relaxed in his hold. As Sizhui remained in the embrace a thought crossed his mind.

‘I could get used to this.’

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“Haven’t Young master Lan and Young master Jin been spending a lot of time together recently?” A Yao clan disciple muttered along.

“Ever since their disappearance they’ve been inseparable.” A disciple of the Hedong Fu clan added to the conversation, over the past months various groups of disciples from various clans had begun to bond with one another. Especially when it came to gossip in the Cloud Recesses, despite being one of the places known from having zero rumours and gossip floating around it was priming with stories to be told, although as all rumours do they slowly become warped.

“I heard they encountered a yao, the battle brought them closer together.” A Runan Wang clan disciple whispered along, although she was elbowed aside by her fellow shidi who corrected her.

“No, you make it sound like a romance novel. What actually happened was they were cursed, so they only spend time around one another so as not to curse anyone else.” The Runan Wang disciple crossed his arms across his chest, proud of his statement until a disciple from the Ezhou clan joined.

“But I heard that one of them was possessed, the only person who knows is the other…” The meek Ezhou clan disciple couldn’t bear the stares she received from the group, and as she retreated to her seat in silence everyone erupted into laughter.

“That can’t be possible!” The Yao clan disciple muttered between laughs, slapping a hand on the Hedong Fu clan disciple's shoulder who also struggled to speak. “The Lan clan barrier would prevent such a thing.” It was then the female Runan Wang disciple spluttered out, “If they were possessed I’m sure we would notice.” The group continued their laughter until their throats had gone dry and made it hard to continue. However the quiet snicker of a girl was heard, when the rowdy group turned they realised it was the young mistress Ouyang.

“Sorry, I just found the rumours amusing.” She informed the group as she giggled into the cuff of her sleeve, it was then that Zizhen entered the room. He’d been searching for his younger cousin for sometime now.

“A-Chen, what have you done now?” He questioned in an irritated tone, grasping hold of his cousin by the sleeve forcing her to her feet.

“I merely giggled at this group's rumours.” Liu Chen pleaded innocently, it always did surprise people at how childish the girl would act in front of her cousin, almost like she was a baby sister to him.

“Rumours?” Zizhen began as he contemplated which route would be quickest to the library, he’d promised to spend time with both his cousin and Jingyi so combining the time spent with them both had been his solution.

“The rumours of young master Lan and young master Jin.” Hearing the mention of his friends took Zizhen aback, he glanced over at the group who now feared they had angered the man who was close friends with young master Jin. But to their surprise he laughed, his younger cousin smiling at the disciples' confusion. Once calm again Zizhen spoke.

“I admire your stories but I must say you all are wrong.” With that Zizhen dragged his cousin out of the room which had been devised as a common room of sorts for all the clans, despite not hearing the stories Zizhen knew the disciples would never guess the truth. After all cut-sleeves were looked down upon in the cultivation world, but Zizhen knew that the love that was shared between those two was pure, you could see it in the eyes of both of them. Although they’d only been dating for about a week it was obvious nothing was going to split those two apart.

“A-Zhen, why do I have to sit in the library again?” Liu Chen whined, although she made no effort to stop their advance towards their current destination.

“We can sit elsewhere if you wish, we have to go find Jingyi first.” Zizhen sighed as he passed by another group of Lan disciples, he swore there were hundreds of them. He thought the numbers might even begin to rival the Jin sect.

“A-Zhen, why don’t you spend time with me and the disciples for once?” Liu Chen began to question, dragging her cousin to a stop just outside the library doors. The elder looked at her with confusion.

“I spent the entirety of the other day with you and the others. Also you are with me basically everyday now.” Zizhen admitted, he attempted to pull open the library doors once more but was pulled back with force.

“Yes. But it’s always with him…” Liu Chen admitted with sadness in her voice, she cared for Ouyang Zizhen a lot more than she admitted she would and seeing her so attached to a Lan hurt her. “Do you really value a Lan more than you do an Ouyang?” Zizhen froze at those words, how could he choose between any of them? Be it Ouyang, Lan or Jin, he valued each of them.

“A-Chen, you're not asking me to choose are you?” The words struggled past his lips, Liu Chen stared her cousin down as the next few words passed her lips.

“I am. We are your family, your blood,” Liu Chen let go of her cousin's sleeve, taking a quick sweep of her surroundings to make sure no one was too close to overhear the conversation. “You're not going to go back with young master Jin are you?” Zizhen hadn’t thought that far ahead yet, when he’d first arrived at the Cloud Recesses he had thought he’d be stuck by Jin Ling’s side consistently and when the lectures were over he’d head back to either Yunmeng or Lanling alongside Jin Ling. That plan hadn’t changed when he’d begun to befriend Jingyi, but ever since reuniting with his shidi and shimei as well as repairing his bond with Liu Chen that future he’d predicted had warped.

“I- I…” Zizhen was struggling to decide, he swore an oath he’d stick by Jin Ling’s side, that when Jin Ling became sect leader he’d be his right hand man. But things had changed now, but one thing was for sure.

“A-Chen, did you think I’d come back to Bailing with you and the others?” Hearing those words cross Zizhen’s lips made Liu Chen burst out.

“I hoped so! You look so happy with the disciples and we were finally a family again!” Tears began to brim at the edges of her eyes, threatening to fall a single word.

“A-Chen, there is no force on earth that will be able to drag me back to Bailing.” Tears crashed against the white tiles in Gusu, Liu Chen’s future had been shattered in a matter of minutes. “Did you know that during our disappearance I had ended up back in Bailing. Whilst Rulan was busy elsewhere in the night I snuck out. I went to see everyone.” Zizhen’s fist curled inwards as he continued to speak. “Do you want to know what I saw?” Zizhen was seething with rage he’d managed to withhold for too long now.

“I saw my room in pieces!” Zizhen seethed through the slight restraint he had left. “Every single surface in that room had the marks of a blade, specifically the blade marks which correlated to my supposed fathers sword!” Zizhen had known that what happened in his room was not a simple moment of despair and anger, the amount of damage could not have happened in such a short amount of time. No, it had to have been across various days of constant hacking and splintering of anything. The bedframe barely held together anymore, the bookshelves left abandoned and dismantled, probably unusable anymore, the desk had various holes pierced across its surface. One wouldn’t have been able to lay a single piece of paper across the desk without having issues writing. His clothes, once neatly folded away in drawers, were now torn to shreds, carelessly tossed around the place. The sight was not the place a grieving father would have, if it had been the room would have remained untouched or perhaps the belongings would have carefully been stored elsewhere whilst the room was used for another purpose. But no, the place had been tarnished beyond repair. This was a sight of anger, of the true emotions behind the face of clan leader Ouyang, a man of fury and destruction.

“If I was to return I would not only be spat on and humiliated, but possibly killed. You didn’t see how he was when mother died!” Thinking back on the memory Zizhen should have left his home a lot sooner than he had, his father had been insane. Kicking over tables on a whim, attacking random disciples. The amount of medical suppliers ordered that year had been nearly triple of the entirety of the year before, it had been incredibly terrible the first few weeks after madam Ouyang's death.

“You're lucky, you’ve never seen clan leader Ouyang angry.” With that Zizhen stepped towards the library doors once more. “I may be disrespected by most in the Jin sect, but I get more respect than I would going back to Bailing.” With that Zizhen slammed the library door open, however didn’t expect to find Jingyi and Sizhui sat at the central table looking at him with sympathy whilst Jin Ling was standing in the doorway.

“Rulan! I-” Zizhen didn’t even get to finish his words as Jin Ling entrapped him in a hug, he hadn’t heard the entirety of the conversation. Jingyi had heard it to begin with, when Jin Ling had been mentioned he’d dragged him away from Sizhui to listen. This had been an issue for Jin Ling, not himself.

Chapter Text

“So are we gonna have to witness this constantly, or will you guys tone it down a bit?” Jingyi complained to the pair, Jin Ling and Lan Sizhui had somehow developed the habit of being very touchy with one another which meant they would constantly lay on one another, whether that be against the other's back or leg. Or the simple hand hold whilst doing work together.

“What do you mean?” Sizhui innocently questioned whilst Jin Ling lay fast asleep on his lap, the younger had been dealing with the rampant Jin disciples recently which appeared to have drained more energy than he’d initially expected.

“The fact is you don’t simply deal with Jin disciples. You have to fight a mini battle just to get one of them to listen to you, to have fifteen of them listen is a war.” Zizhen declared as he continued to copy notes from a textbook, it was to do with politics within the cultivation world, put simply Jingyi had no interest.

“Then how do you get disciples to listen when you're in Lanling?” Jingyi questioned Zizhen who now lowered his brush, he wouldn’t be able to copy notes whilst explaining this.

“I don’t. The servants will listen to me, but anyone higher than that and I ask Rulan.” Zizhen mindlessly tapped his fingers against the desk as he awaited more questions.

“What about in Yunmeng? I know you two grew up there, did you have any special role there?” Zizhen chuckled at Jingyi’s curiosity of his childhood and the place he would most likely call home.

“I was simply a disciple, just the same as any other Jiang disciple.” Zizhen remembered fondly being stood in the rows of Jiang disciples, just as Jin Ling was. Practising day and night the same sword skills as their peers, practising said skills against said peers. Helping one another improve, Zizhen probably had a stronger Yunmeng Jiang style sword style than even Jin Ling. The young master Jin had attempted to duel learn the Lanling Jin style as well as refine the Yunmeng Jiang style, although he did rely on the latter a little more than the Jin sect elders liked.

“If you studied as a Jiang disciple why don’t you wear the robes of one, or of the Jin sect? When you arrived you had the Ouyang clan robes.” Zizhen let the room settle in silence for a moment as he considered his next few words.

“Simply put, a choice. Whilst I’m in Yunmeng I wear the Jiang sect purple robes, just as Rulan does. When in Lanling I wear the golden robes of the Jin’s. Whilst out travelling I prefer to wear the Ouyang robes, they are old and worn so it does the job for travel. I mean they are three years old.” That took both Sizhui and Jingyi’s attention, the boy had been wearing the same old robes for three years!?

“Zizhen, don’t you have a replacement for them? I mean you’ve had to have grown in three years.” Zizhen nodded his head in agreement to the obvious statement.

“True, they don’t really fit me anymore. But I can’t throw them away, same as I can’t let go of this.” Zizhen reached into his robes to reveal a jade necklace; it looked more suited for a woman with the intricate details etched into it. But looked right at home against Zizhen’s pale skin.

“This belonged to my mother, madam Ouyang. It was the last thing she gave to me as a kid.” Thinking the subject was beginning to become a touchy one the two Lan’s returned to their prior work which was reading. That was until an individual knocked against the door of the library. Within seconds Jin Ling was shoved off of Sizhui, the poor boy was startled awake.

“Ah- I’m awake! Who needs me!” Whilst leaning on his side Sizhui placed a hand against his mouth, whilst pressing his other finger against his own lips in a show of silence. The younger quickly understood so began to readjust himself in a neater manner, it was a good thing as well as it was Lan Wangji who entered the room.

“Young master Jin, Lan Jingyi, Ouyang Zizhen.” He greeted the room as he bowed to each boy respectively. “A-Yuan, may I borrow you a second?” The man softly spoke to the boy, Jin Ling felt sweat bead down the side of his forehead, he’d nearly been caught fast asleep on Sizhui’s lap by his own father.

“Of course, I’ll be back, everyone.” With that the father son duo disappeared out of the library for an unknown amount of time. Once the door was shut the room released a collective sigh of relief.

“Zizhen! I told you to wake me up after an hour!” Jin Ling whined as he continued to try and flatten his hair which had become more creased than he’d expected.

“I tried to! But you wouldn’t move, then young master Lan said to leave you be.” Zizhen admitted in annoyance, it was then that Zizhen took notice of Jin Ling’s strange posture. Although he had just been awoken he appeared to slowly slouch backwards, bit by bit whilst his eyes began to droop.

“Zizhen… I don’t feel… So… Goo-” Within seconds Jin Ling hit the ground with a not so soft thud, the other two leapt to their feet in an instant to assess the situation. As Zizhen began to assess Jin Ling’s injuries Jingyi began to feel faint.

“Zizhen… My head it-” Jingyi dropped to the ground beside Jin Ling, although his descent sounded slightly more elegant as he collapsed onto his right arm. He had a feeling Jingyi was used to falling a great deal.

“Jingyi!” Zizhen hollered whilst he still cradled Jin Ling’s head as he checked for any serious injuries, he wouldn’t mention it but his vision was slowly beginning to go blurry as well. With the small bit of strength which remained in his body Zizhen threw himself towards the library door, throwing it open. He had initially planned to call out for Sizhui but collapsed upon hitting the cold morning air.

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“Is there something you need A-Die?” Sizhui began to question as the pair of them traversed through the hallways of the Cloud Recesses, various Lan disciples bowed to them as they ventured further.

“I came to inquire about your sword training, how is it going?” Sizhui glanced down to the tiles at his feet, he had been practising his sword skills however he’d hit a wall recently. He’d hoped watching Jin Ling practise the Yunmeng Jiang style he might be able to use that knowledge in order to correct his errors, but despite the styles being so similar the technique was different so instead he’d ended up picking up slight habits of the Yunmeng style.

“I have perfected almost everything you taught me, it’s just…” Lan Wangji looked towards his son awaiting an answer, yet Sizhui appeared distracted by something else.

“A-Yuan, is something the matter?” He approached, when he looked into his son’s eyes he saw nothing but fear, the fear of a small defenceless child.

“A-Yuan!” Lan Wangji grasped hold of Sizhui's shoulders in an attempt to get a response from the boy, but no response came. Instead he felt the abnormal coldness in Sizhui’s body, yes it was the Cloud Recesses and traditionally everyone’s body would be somewhat cold but this was different. It was as if Sizhui’s body had just come out of a snow storm.

“I’m sorry…” Was Sizhui’s words as he raised a hand to cover his left eye, Lan Wangji was sure he saw streaks of black traverse through his son’s eye but he hadn’t chance to look further when Sizhui’s legs gave in from underneath him.

Without uttering a word Lan Wangji scooped the boy up into his arms, he wouldn’t allow him to even grace the cold tiles. Within minutes he was inside the healers, Sizhui still unconscious in his arms.

“Hanguan-Jun, what happened to the boy?” The healer questioned as he began to inspect for any external injuries.

“Check for traces of resentment.” Was the only response he gave the healer, the poor man not having the guts to question back began to transfer spiritual energy into the young Lan, expecting nothing in return but when he found a small patch of resentment along the boy's body it caused him to stop.

“Hanguan-Jun, where are the other three young masters?” Just as Lan Wangji was to respond with the library, the healer's door burst open once more.

“Shifu, there are three unconscious young masters!” It was Zhu Lian, behind her were three Lan disciples, each one carrying someone on their back. Ouyang Zizhen was laid on the closest bed, then Lan Jingyi, finally followed by Jin Ling. Although the first two appeared at peace in whatever slumber they were in Jin Ling appeared to be sweating, a crease formed just above his eyebrows bringing his crimson dot lower.

“Begin to administer spiritual energy to all of them.” The healer instructed his various disciples within the ward, he began to do the same to Sizhui who shot awake within seconds.

Momentarily stunned by his change in surroundings Sizhui glanced around in confusion, that was until he laid eyes on his father.

“A-Die?” He began to question, Lan Wangji settled on the edge of the bed, placing a hand against Sizhui’s own in an attempt to reassure him. “What happened?”

“You passed out,” Sizhui appeared to take the words in slowly, he was attempting to regain a train of thought he’d had but it continued to escape his grasp. “A-Yuan, did something happen back when you disappeared?” Lan Wangji slowly announced each word so Sizhui’s still scrambled mind could take it in. However, he quickly shook his head in dismissal. He’d already told them all they needed to know.

“A-Die, what’s the burial mounds?” Hearing those words pass Sizhui’s lips brought a sense of fear over Lan Wangji, he had never expected his son to know of the place he once called home.

“It’s a place in Yiling, why do you know of it?” Lan Wangji watched Sizhui contemplate his words, but just as he was about to speak he took notice of the healer listening in. Seeing the line of vision Sizhui was following he quickly understood.

“Leave us be.” He instructed, the healer quickly bowed in respect before closing the curtains around the father and son.

“I think I’ve been there, with A-Niang…” Sizhui muttered out, he appeared to be rearranging his thoughts as he spoke. “Whilst I was unconscious I saw things, I think it was a memory of when I was little. A-Niang was playing his flute whilst I was chasing after this smoke… But I could see myself… It was as if I was watching the memory from someone else's perspective… I think you were there as well, you were standing beside a woman who wore the same expression as you were.” Lan Wangji had to assume it was one of the rare instances he’d come to visit the Burial Mounds, although looking back he wished he’d visited more often, the woman he mentioned must have been Wen Qing.

“Was there anything else?” Lan Wangji questioned, he felt suspicious as to who could have been watching them in that moment, from his memory it was only the four of them outside as the remaining Wen remnants were inside the cavern.

“Rage. I felt unbearable rage. As if I wanted to kill and destroy that moment…” Lan Wangji’s breath hitched at hearing those words, whatever Sizhui had gone through it was almost like empathy. Having a theory on what occurred Lan Wangji rose to his feet.

“A-Die?”

“I need to speak with someone, I think it best you await your friends.” Sizhui nodded at his fathers words, crawling from the sheets he began to dodge and weave between the healers. It did surprise Lan Wangji when Sizhui stopped beside Jin Ling over Jingyi. Thinking it was a matter for later Lan Wangji made his way towards the dungeons, or better known as the Mingshi. With no recent need for summoning spirits and having the man possessed by a spirit, Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji had deemed it a fitting place for the body of Lan Qiren and spirit of Wen Chao to reside. They had tried various soul summoning techniques in an attempt to draw the spirit from Lan Qiren yet nothing had succeeded yet.

“Hanguan-Jun.” The two disciples bowed who had been guarding the Mingshi, both guards looked tired with bags under their eyes. Lan Wangji wouldn’t be surprised if they were, Wen Chao had the incessant habit of speaking aloud even when no-one cared to listen. Even all through the night, despite repetitive threats to permanently silence him the man had yet to cease. Even the silencing spell wouldn’t work on the man as due to having Lan Qiren’s body Wen Chao was easily able to remove the spell.

“Open it.” Bowing in respect the two did as instructed, the Mingshi’s doors creaked with old age as they opened. Once inside they creaked closed once more, trapping both Lan Wangji and the spirit inside.

“Lan Zhan, you finally came to visit!” The annoyance which was Wen Chao shouted out, strangely enough over the months of possessing Lan Qiren Wen Chao’s old voice began to be creeping in. If Lan Wangji didn’t know better, Lan Qiren was also starting to look slightly younger, his face looking slightly sharper than it had last time he visited. Although he had never visited, the last time he laid eyes on the man was the day he sealed him inside this room.

“Wen Chao, what have you done to them!” Lan Wangji refused to spend more time than was necessary inside the chamber, he saw how relaxed Wen Chao layed about the place. Seeing Lan Qiren sit in such an improper way was not only shocking but slightly unnerving.

“What have I done?” The man exclaimed, he made it sound as if Lan Wangji had accused him of a crime he hadn’t committed. “I haven’t left this room, how do you expect me to harm some children?” hearing the words leave his lips confirmed the second jades assumption.

“Wen Chao, do not lie. You may possess the body of Lan Qiren, but I will not hesitate to bring harm to you. I have unsettled debts with the man.” Lan Wangji tightened the grip he held on Bichen, the thought of returning the two year old debt from his son's injuries wasn’t a bad idea in his mind if it made Wen Chao talk. However, Wen Chao was aware of what debt Lan Wangji was referring to, afterall he had slightly influenced the man into committing such a cruel fate.

“No, no, no. That won’t be necessary for second master Lan.” Wen Chao sat upright and proper on his spot on the floor, dusting the somewhat white robes he wore. Laying on the ground for various days on end had turned it slightly grey. He not only recalled the debt, but the gruesome death he suffered at the hands of Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng was not something he could easily forget, he dreaded to think of what atrocities Lan Wangji could commit against him. Especially after nearly killing Wei Wuxian.

“Alright, I personally didn’t do anything to the kids. I may have tried to show young Wen Yuan some memories of his past through my own eyes, and some other things. But it didn’t go to plan as someone interrupted before I could show anything!” Wen Chao exclaimed in anger, Lan Wangji was grateful he’d acted as fast as he had. Wen Chao had caused the suffering of hundreds of people, witnessing sights that Sizhui had no need to witness in his life.

“The others?” Lan Wangji persisted, taking a step closer hoping to install some fear into the man. Luckily it worked plenty as Wen Chao leapt to his feet, taking a step backwards to maintain the distance between the two of them.

“It was the other Wen’s! The boys stumbled upon a labour camp which was made specifically for Wen remnants, you know what happens when masses of people die in one place!” Wen Chao exclaimed in fear as he rambled more than he probably should have, his smugness somehow managed to creep back into his voice towards the end. This only provoked Lan Wangji to approach closer.

“How are you aware of where they traversed?” Lan Wangji continued to question, Wen Chao practically had his body pressed up against the wall at this point.

“They told me! I may be possessing this body but I can communicate with other spirits, although being in this tower makes it a tad bit difficult! At most I can project images into the minds of others, but I only influenced young Wen Yuan. I swear!” Wen Chao hollered as Lan Wangji was merely a sword's length away from him at this point, he wouldn’t admit it but seeing Wen Chao cower like this brought a slight amusement to him. He thought it fitting after all the running and cowering he had forced them to do when himself and others were only mere teenagers. “The Wen’s want revenge! They were unrightfully killed by the Jin sect so they seek retribution! Why do you think young master Jin is in the condition he’s in!” Lan Wangji paused in his steps, retreating two steps which drew a sigh of relief from Wen Chao. But when Bichen was drawn from its sheath and pointed at his neck Wen Chao immediately felt as each nerve of his possessed body froze.

“What will happen to young master Jin?” Lan Wangji wasn’t aware of the exact details but from Sizhui’s earlier actions he knew the boy was of importance to him.

“What do you think such amounts of resentment will do to him?” Wen Chao stated it so plainly, Lan Wangji knew what uncontrollable amounts of resentment could do to one's body and mind.

“He will die, or worse…” Wen Chao admitted, his hands still raised whilst he stared down the blade. “Lose himself.” Lan Wangji finished for Wen Chao, he’d witnessed that first hand and he had to sadly agree that was worse than dying.

“You’ve had first hand experience?” Wen Chao pondered, throughout his days of possessing Lan Qiren Wen Chao had changed in some ways. Although he was still the crazy child as he was when they were younger he had developed this sense of maturity in rare instances, Lan Xichen had been the one to bring this up although Lan Wangji didn’t really listen to the exact details but now he was seeing it first hand he had to admit there was a slight bit of maturity.

“One could say.” Was Lan Wangji’s response as he lowered Bichen away from the man, Wen Chao lowered his arms in turn. “How do we heal him?” Lan Wangji didn’t want to ask for help from someone like Wen Chao but he didn’t have an alternative option as the master of the manipulation of resentful energy was currently in an indefinite coma.

“Is the great Lan Wangji asking for my help?” Wen Chao mocked, although he was still in a precarious situation he couldn’t help himself. So in turn Lan Wangji pierced his sword through Lan Qiren’s right forearm. He quickly removed the sword from the wound before Wen Chao could grasp hold of the blade, watching as the man wailed whilst sliding down the wall, a tight grasp around his forearm in an attempt to stop the bleeding.

“Alright! Alright! I’ll tell you! Just don’t stab me again!” Lan Wangji did ponder as to why Wen Chao didn’t just abandon Lan Qiren’s body in order to avoid the pain, but his priority was to focus on the children.

“You have to remove the resentment, otherwise you know…” Wen Chao gritted his teeth as he spoke, the wound on his arm causing more suffering than he’d like to admit. Although he’d suffered a fate worse than this in the past, Wen Chao was acting like a child who’d injured themselves. “There are two methods. Either force the resentment out through the use of spiritual energy, or quell the spirits' resentment through alternative methods.” Although vague, Lan Wangji understood the dangers of both methods. If one was to use their own  spiritual energy on resentment which was strong enough to kill someone then they too could suffer and die through qi deviation, which would leave two corpses instead of one. If a multitude of people transferred spiritual energy then they might not achieve the result rapidly enough and result in the death of the patient. However, if one was to quell the spirits which was causing the resentment the individual would have to use empathy which held its own dangers to not only the individual who houses the spirits and resentment, as one would be tampering with their body and spiritual energy which could be easily damaged through simple errors, but the individual performing empathy as the latter will have no methods in which to defend themselves if the spirits decide to attack. Deciding listening to more of Wen Chao’s rambles would only drive him in circles Lan Wangji sheathed Bichen before making his way towards the exit.

“Lan Wangji.” Wen Chao called just as the doors to the Mingshi opened for the second jade. “If you want the young master to survive, have Wen Yuan perform the score. They will respond better to one of their own.” Having no intentions of exposing Sizhui to such dangers Lan Wangji dismissed Wen Chao’s statement before exiting the Mingshi, closing the doors to behind him.

“Hanguan-Jun, we heard cries. Is everything okay?” One of the disciples queried, although from a quick glance it was obvious which individual had screamed inside the chamber.

“Administer first aid.” With a simple sweep of his sleeve Lan Wangji began to make his way back to the infirmary, with the new information Lan Wangji had a choice to make. Neither his brother nor Sizhui would take it lightly.

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“Absolutely not!” Lan Xichen exclaimed to his nephew, when Lan Wangji had explained the dire situation from the information he’d received from Wen Chao Sizhui had offered himself as the person to perform an empathy to quell the spirits.

“Uncle, you heard A-Die. Jin Ling will perish if we don’t put the spirits to rest.” Lan Xichen sighed as he placed a thumb and forefinger on the bridge of his nose.

“A-Yuan, we will have to perform empathy on young master Jin. But I refuse to allow someone such as yourself with such little experience to be the one to perform an empathy.” Lan Xichen’s tone had been one of certainty and unwavering derision, Sizhui knew he wouldn’t be able to convince him on the matter.

“We will perform the ceremony in the early hours of tomorrow, the healers need to rest in order to have all their spiritual energy.” Lan Wangji nodded in understanding to his brother, Sizhui only pouted as he stared towards the centre of the table. He was sure there was a faint stain left on the table cloth.

“A-Yuan, promise me you won’t try anything reckless?” Lan Xichen instructed as he was about to leave the room, receiving no response Lan Xichen only sighed as he looked to his younger brother who was watching his son. Lan Xichen really didn’t understand how his brother had such patience for A-Yuan at times, he could be incredibly stubborn. Just like his father he supposed. With that the father son pair were left alone in the room, neither speaking a word for some time until Sizhui attempted to leave.

“A-Yuan,” Lan Wangji began, Sizhui standing behind him at this point. Neither one turned to look at the other. “I understand young master Jin is important to you.” Lan Wangji may have been oblivious to his own feelings towards Wei Wuxian and in turn Wei Wuxian’s feelings towards him no matter how minute and undiscovered they may have been. But the look his son had in his eyes, it was one he’d seen in his own reflection everyday for years. The fear of losing someone you cared for, the thought of them slipping through your fingers whilst you could only sit back and watch it happen. “I will not stop you if you intend to help him, but if you do go through with this, allow me to be of assistance.” That shocked Sizhui, his father was willing to go behind the back of his brother, to break many of their clan's rules just to help him.

“But A-Die, what of the rules. You will be guilty of breaking so many…” Lan Wangji rose to his feet at this point, wrapping an arm around his son.

“It won’t be the first time I’ve broken them, nor will it be the last.” With that Lan Wangji began to make his way towards the exit, watching as Sizhui stared at him in shock. Although now that he thought about it, it did make sense after all he’d suffered from the discipline whip when Sizhui was a mere child.

It was only a few hours away from curfew now, Sizhui had informed his father that he intended to perform the ceremony after lights out in order to avoid witnesses. Lan Wangji had agreed to such a plan, the only issue would be his brother as Lan Xichen had a habit of working late into the night in order to finish sect matters.

“Focus on young master Jin, I shall deal with brother if he becomes an issue. Afterwards, I believe we need to have a conversation about this young master. Hm?” Lan Wangji posed the question to his son, Sizhui in turn looked away from his father but his ears had become a faint red. Although himself and Jin Ling had confessed their feelings for one another the pair had done nothing besides spend time with one another, the furthest one could class as romantic acts would be holding one another's hands or Jin Ling falling asleep on Sizhui’s lap.

“Hmm.” Sizhui nodded his head in acknowledgement, he knew this was a conversation he would have to confront at some point. But the fact he was confronting it now was of no relief.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

The healers had been locked up only mere moments before the pair had slipped inside, no-one would come searching inside once it was locked up. It was the Gusu Lan sect afterall, no-one would dare to commit crimes such as breaking and entering. Except two Lan’s who had more pressing matters than the rules.

“Why are you taking that?” Lan Sizhui questioned as he watched Lan Wangji remove a bell from Jin Ling’s belt, feeling the cool metal beneath his fingers brought a sense of reminiscence to Lan Wangji. He remembered the last time he’d held something so similar had been in the cave of Xuanwu when Wei Wuxian had been in delirium he had grasped hold of the bell for reasons unknown. Although he had tossed it aside at one point, another delirium perhaps, was when Lan Wangji had managed to grasp hold of it to inspect it as the silver bell of the Jiang sect. Lan Wangji had heard the rumours of this bell, that it allowed one to clear one's mind. Which would be incredibly useful in attempting to return Sizhui to his body if he deemed things too dangerous.

“Reassurance.” Was Lan Wangji’s only response as he held the bell in his hand, part of him also didn’t want to let go of such an item which had been meticulously crafted by Wei Wuxian himself years prior. Although he had to give the young master Jin credit, it was incredibly well cared for despite how old it was. It was then Sizhui revealed his guqin, he carefully settled it down on the floor beside Jin Ling’s bed as he lay his back against the bed.

“A-Yuan,” Lan Wangji began as he saw Sizhui begin to pluck at the first string, he knew Sizhui could play the song perfectly but the effects still worried him. “Be careful.” Sizhui nodded in understanding, he quickly rose to his feet to give his father a soft embrace, the action surprised Lan Wangji slightly. The last time Sizhui had hugged him was when Wei Wuxian had just awoken.

“I promise.” With those words Sizhui returned to his prior seat and began to play empathy, each note echoing in the silence of the night.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

“Uncle!” Came the childish voice of a young Jin Ling, he stood atop of Suihua in the centre of the Jiang training field. Wearing the purple robes of the Jiang clan, he looked perfectly at home. His hair was styled differently compared to what he wore in Gusu and Lanling, a single braid either side of his head which then connected to a high ponytail which was held in place by merely a red ribbon, in contrast to the typical gold ornament which would hold his hair alongside the red ribbon.

“A-Rulan, be careful!” Called the deep voice of sect leader Jiang, although he was a sect leader the man still retained the face of his youth. He especially looked it when he smiled as was now watching his nephew slowly begin to rise in the sky.

“Uncle worries too much!” Jin Ling hollered from his place atop Suihua, although young the boy held the confidence of someone much older.

Sizhui wasn’t sure what he was looking for whilst here, but watching this memory of Jin Ling’s brought a warmth to his chest. Knowing that he’d had the luxury of a carefree childhood like this in Yunmeng, he’d imagined if he’d been raised in Lanling it would be very different.

The laughs from Jin Ling were heard on a somewhat quiet day, the warm sun danced across his skin making him look even more alive than usual. Thinking back to the pale colour of Jin Ling’s skin in the healers made Sizhui’s heart sink a little. But in that moment of wandering thought Sizhui heard the pull of bow string growing taught, then the whistle of the arrow flying through the air.

“A-Rulan!” Jiang Cheng hollered when he caught sight of the arrow, quickly summoning Zidian in an attempt to stop the arrow but it merely escaped its grasp landing square in the young Jin Ling’s back. The young boy screamed in pain as he began to sway and then fall from Suihua, no one had even realised Jiang Cheng had unsheathed Sandu and immediately dove to catch him. Once Jin Ling was in his arms Jiang Cheng refused to let go, carefully cradling him in fear of injuring his wound more.

“Uncle… What happened…?” Jin Ling managed to mutter out, the pain in his back was almost unbearable for a child such as him. Sizhui was only a mere few steps away in witnessing this event, powerless to assist in any way.

“You fell off your sword, when I caught you I slipped and hurt your back… I’m so sorry…” Despite there being somewhat of a smile on the sect leader's face, tears were brimming at the edges of his eyes. Jin Ling raised a hand in an attempt to grab hold of Jiang Cheng’s robes.

“Don’t cry uncle. Rulan is happy you caught him, Rulan was foolish for not listening to uncle.” You young boy now had tears brimming at the edge of his own eyes now. Thinking that what had occurred was of his own doing and not another.

The memory appeared to melt away from that point, softly merging into a new scene which greeted Sizhui of the sight of a young Jin Ling tucked into bed with bandages across his torso. Although alone it was obvious the young Jin Ling was focused on something in the dim lighting of the room. It was only when Sizhui stepped closer could he see the intricate detailing that was the scabbard of Suihua, it looked to be dirtied from the earlier fall. Upon closer inspection of Jin Ling, Sizhui noticed the boy was silently crying, seeing such a sight brought a dagger to the Lan’s heart. Despite knowing he had no impact on the memory, Sizhui situated himself on the wooden floors beside Jin Ling’s bed, gently placing a hand on the young boy’s own which was tightly curled around the bed sheets.

“There is no more we can do sect leader Jiang, the boy will suffer a scar.” Both Sizhui and Jin Ling’s head turned in the direction of the not so quiet voices in the hallway.

“Will it fade over time?” Jiang Cheng desperately pleaded, although Sizhui found it odd. The rumours circulating the leader of the Jiang sect were ones of ruthlessness and little care for others, although Sizhui had always hoped them to be false his fathers stories of the man when he’d been younger only proved the rumours to be true. But the scene he was witnessing right now disproved anything he'd been informed.

“Only ever so slightly. However, the scar is located on the back so young Rulan won’t be able to see it.” The Jiang healer tried to lighten the atmosphere ever so slightly with his additional comment, however Jiang Cheng immediately shut the man down whilst heading towards the entrance of Jin Ling’s room.

“It is worse. To have a scar, oneself cannot witness with their own eyes.” From the tone in his voice Sizhui assumed the man to be speaking of experience, Sizhui wasn’t too sure about his words though. He much preferred not seeing the scars which littered his own back, it allowed him to forget about the pain from not being able to constantly see them when dressing or bathing himself. It was then Sizhui heard the cruel laughter of a woman, turning around Sizhui watched as the traces of a white robe disappeared from the window's view. Not wasting a second Sizhui leapt from his spot on the ground to give chase to the individual. Leaping onto the nearby docking outside Jin Ling’s window Sizzhui began his pursuit of the individual, yet when he’d taken so many steps away part of himself was drawn to look back at the window. Watching as Jiang Cheng lowered himself to his knees beside his nephew in apology, believing he was intruding on a private memory at this point Sizhui return to his earlier pursuit. Yet in his pursuit Sizhui failed to notice the fading of lotus pier, the damp wooden pier he was once running across soon phasing into nothing but inky blackness. It was only when he caught up with the fleeing individual did Sizhui realise it wasn’t a person he had been chasing but merely an empty robe. He’d reached out to grasp hold of the person and yank them backwards but now his hands merely held the empty robes. But when he began to investigate what robes in particular they were he quickly threw them aside to the floor.

They were Qishan Wen robes.

“Whoever you are, come out!” Sizhui hollered as he began to retreat away from the robes, the mere thought of the fact he’d touched such robes brought a slight sick feeling to his stomach.

“Why should we~” Came the sickening voice of a woman, hearing the noise Sizhui immediately drew his sword in preparation for a fight. He knew he wouldn’t be able to harm ghosts with a mere sword but having it in his hand was a comfort of sorts.

“After all~” The woman’s voice began to echo around Sizhui, one second it was to his left, the next the voice sounded to his right. Causing the poor boy to begin tracing his steps in circles. “You are alive~ And we are not~” Without warning a slash was delivered to Sizhui’s right arm, causing him to drop his sword with a deafening clatter whilst dropping to his knees. Although it hadn’t hit anything the noise was deafening all the same.

“Why should we listen to you~” Just as Sizhui began to clamp his arm to prevent the loss of blood the translucent foot of a woman appeared, although the woman’s foot had no shoes but showed the evident sign of laborious work as he feet looked calloused alongside the cracked skin the irremovable sight of dirt against the skin was apparent. As Sizhui began to analyse the woman more, fear began to course through his veins as the bloodied hand of the woman grasped around his sword. When looking at her face it was obvious the woman’s face had once been beautiful, she probably could have competed with the fair ladies who lived in luxury in the cultivation world. The only flaw in her appearance was the gaping large wound on her neck, obviously created by the sword of an individual. If Sizhui had to assume her death had not been a swift one, she must have clawed at her neck in an attempt to prevent the bleeding yet it had been futile.

“I had a life!” With Sizhui in the feeble position he was in and sword in hand the woman’s confidence spiked into accusations thrown at Sizhui. “I had a husband! A daughter! Yet you get to live instead of all of us!” It was then a small girl crawled forwards towards the translucent woman, her legs hidden beneath her robes but by the amount of blood spotting through what Sizhui presumed was once white robes made it obvious her legs had been broken in her death. Possibly by someone's hand or she’d suffered a great fall. Grasping hold of the woman's robes the small girl spoke.

“A-Niang… Hungry…” The girl managed to mutter out, if Sizhui wasn’t wrong the girl looked to have been the age Sizhui was when Wei Wuxian had rescued him that day. It was heartbreaking knowing she was just as Sizhui was, yet suffered more than a child ever should have. Although Sizhui couldn’t say much, he’d suffered his own hellish nightmare in the years he’d survived.

“I know Ch-” The woman had begun to state her daughter's name, yet stopped in her tracks. As if the words sat just there, but had vanished the instant she attempted to say them.

“W-Who are you…” The translucent woman began, her hands beginning to shake as she tore her robe away from her daughter; she only managed to stare up at her in despair.

“A-Niang…” The girl sobbed as she dragged herself backwards slightly, yet the translucent woman only struck at her with the sword. It didn’t harm the girl but the fact she had attacked in the first place brought the young spirit to tears.

“I have no daughter! Who are you! Who am I!?” It was now the translucent woman’s turn to drop the sword as she suffered an internal struggle. It wasn’t until another woman, a few years younger burst out of the darkness that the woman’s struggle began to stop.

“Wen Ai! Your name is Wen Ai!” The woman hollered as she grasped hold of the supposed Wen Ai’s wrist. “Your daughter is Wen Cheng! She was killed by Jin soldiers! They threw her off a cliff and made you watch! They slit your throat when you cried at the cliffside, remember!” As this new ghost stated these facts Sizhui’s stomach churned more and more, Jin Ling’s sect had committed such atrocious crimes…

It was only as Wen Ai calmed down did she stop shaking, taking in what Sizhui presumed to be family or friend.

“That’s right… Wen Ai… Wen Cheng… Then you're Wen Fu, my sister!” Wen Fu smiled and nodded in agreement, she appeared somewhat at ease at this point. “Wen Fu… They… They… How could they do such a thing to you…” Wen Ai began to cry as she cradled her younger sisters face, Sizhui wasn’t sure as to what happened to the young woman but her robes were stained red towards the lower third whilst her stomach appeared to have been mercilessly stabbed and ripped out leaving a horrifying sight which would make even trained cultivators heave.

“Because they are demons, just as anyone who defends their actions are. Especially one of our own!” Wen Fu turned her focus from her now in control sister to Sizhui who had merely witnessed the whole ordeal in silence.

“What are you doing to Jin Ling!” Sizhui managed to holler out, Wen Fu’s face showed an expression of pure rage and fury as she stalked towards the already weakened Sizhui. Grasping him by the back of the robes she began to drag him elsewhere, Wen Ai followed not far behind with Wen Cheng cradled in her arms. Minutes passed by for the group, Sizhui began to feel faint as the blood continued to bleed from his arm with no signs of stopping.

“Jin Ling!” Sizhui hollered as he watched the sight before him, it was Jin Ling laying on the healers bed inside the healers room. He could vaguely see himself beside the bed, although he looked completely knocked out. Lan Wangji wasn’t nearby to his surprise and concern.

“What are you doing to him!” Sizhui demanded once more, not many things could make him angry like this but Sizhui was done asking nicely.

“Simple. We are killing him.” Wen Fu declared with a hint of a laugh in her voice, she appeared to be enjoying watching Jin Ling suffer.

“But why? Jin Ling hasn’t done anything to you?” Sizhui pleaded as he looked at the three women, he hadn’t realised but the three women had soon developed into a crowd of hundreds. Women and children, elderly grandparents with injuries ranging from the sight of a scooped out eyeball with the blood still staining their face, to severed limbs of the most outrageous degree. Sons and daughters lined up side by side one another, some of the poor girls had suffered the same fate as Wen Fu, their appearance almost identical. Two of the boys in particular had been carrying their severed head in their arms, switching the heads between the pair before planting it back atop their own shoulders with a sickening squelch sound. There was even a man that could only be described as a human pickle as each of his limbs had been severed alongside his tongue being cut out as the man appeared to permanently have his mouth open.

The sight of each person with each injury they had suffered brought both horrors and indescribable guilt to poor young Sizhui. They had all suffered in their deaths, meanwhile Sizhui was raised in a proper home in Gusu. Lan Wangji training him in the art of the sword as well as being caring towards him as he slowly grew, alongside the few precious years he got to spend with Wei Wuxian. He had lived a life, a full one to that. A life of luxury, he’d even been proclaimed as the next heir to the Lan sect despite his blood ties to the Wen sect. But everyone who currently surrounded him didn’t have that opportunity, the parents never got to watch their children grow into adults, the children had never had the opportunity to discover who they were for themselves. To explore and adventure into the five arts. That right had been stripped from them in an instant, but Sizhui… He hadn’t suffered such a fate…

“You should have died just like us!” Came the shout of one of the men who’d been pierced through the heart.

“What he said! You have no right to live!” Came the cry of another, this time a woman whose torso appeared to have been attempted to be chopped in half yet failed partway through. Those two voices began to lead to an avalanche of angered shouts by the fallen Wen’s, each one claiming they had lost more than the last. Each soul loudly stated the things which they had lost, the unfairness of their situation compared to Sizhui’s. Not being able to cope with such voices Sizhui clamped his hands over his ears in hopes it would somewhat dampen the voices, but despite this the voices grew in volume. Incessant and unending Sizhui began to cry, he begged in nothing but a whisper for his mother and father. He merely wanted to be the innocent child from way back then, who could easily sit between his parents with a toothy grin and that was enough to satisfy them having his parents return just as equal loving and caring smiles. For his only concern to be whether or not he had to flee from his grandma into Wei Wuxian’s arms to avoid taking a bath yet inevitably be betrayed and scrubbed somewhat clean. He missed the spicy palette his mother fed him one time, how when he’d downed the entire bowl despite its spiciness the smile across his mothers face had been one of shock and love.

“A-Niang… A-Die…” Sizhui whispered out, seeing how broken Sizhui was in that moment Wen Fu raised a hand in silence. The loud clanging of Sizhui’s sword was heard as it lay just within reach of him, the young now broken boy looked up to Wen Fu with tears staining his face.

“Pick it up.” Despite her order Sizhui merely stared at the sword, debating whether he wanted to pick up a sword which had ultimately led him to his current situation. To his never ending suffering.

“Pick it up. Pierce your own flesh. Repay a debt of thirteen years.” There was not a single utterance of sympathy nor regret in Wen Fu’s voice, she intended to watch as Sizhui drew his last breath here. She wanted the boy to die, she wanted him to perish by his own hands. She was aware of the effects of his death, and she would revel in the chaos that would come from the death of not one but two sect heirs.

Pick it up.

Pick it up.

Pick it up.

Pick it up.

Pick it up.

Pick it up.

Pick it up.

Pick it up.

Pick it up.

Pick it up.

Pick it up.

Pick it up.

Pick it up.

Pick it up.

Pick it up.

Pick it up.

Pick it up.

Pick it up.

Pick it up.

Pick it up.

PICK IT UP!

Slowly, without thought. Sizhui began to reach out for his sword, the cold feel of metal being a comfort as he knew soon his body would reach the same coldness. The slow arch of his arm rising as he began to take his final strike, Wen Fu was pleased as a smile danced across her lips. Her sister meanwhile stood beside her, an unfamiliar look of sympathy across her lips as she watched the boy. With Wen Cheng in her arms she tightened her grip ever so slightly, this boy was just as her daughter was. Only he’d had the opportunity she had not, was it really right to take that privalledge from him? What of his parents? What grief would they feel once they knew their son was dead? Did he have any siblings? Would they also weep for him? What of lovers? Would this boy's significant other be able to cope with him gone, taken from this world before them? If it had been her lover Wen Ai would be distraught. And just as when Wen Cheng had been taken before she was, she had been prepared to give up her life there and then.

“A-Fu, maybe we should-” Wen Ai was instantly silenced by her sister as a hand was raised to her face. The younger knew how sympathetic her elder sister could be, she wouldn’t interrupt this moment. Not when she’d bartered so much with Wen Chao for this opportunity. But just as Sizhui reached the peak of the swing his muscles froze in place, confused and angered by this Wen Gu screached.

“Why have you stopped!?” The woman stomped forwards a couple of steps in her anger, but as she drew closer she realised what Sizhui had seen. His own reflection.

It had merely been his eyes in the reflection alongside his forehead ribbon. But seeing them snapped him out of the self deprecating trance he was in.

“A-Die…” Sizhui muttered out as the sword clanged to the floor another time. Realising what he had been about to do, Sizhui scrambled backwards away from the glimmering sword. 

“Fine! If you won’t do it yourself, I will!” Wen Fu declared as she began her steps, they began slowly but quickly increased in speed. Scooping up the sword in her hand she prepared to plunge it directly through Sizhui’s chest, part of her thought of returning the favour as to what fate she suffered to such a blade. The idea was thrilling, the thought of Sizhui’s warm fresh blood staining the pristine sword. Watching as his very essence of life was slowly dragged away by each merciless stab to his dying body. But yet that moment never came.

“Stop!” Wen Fu froze, the blade mere millimetres away from piercing through Sizhui’s flesh, who had become a statue once realising Wen Fu’s intentions.

“Who said that!” Wen Fu declared, she still held the blade in place as she watched the sea of Wen’s part to reveal a woman. Her injuries appeared to be one of a burning, her skin looked as if the slightest touch would cause it to fall and reveal charred bone beneath. Although the burned flesh was horrifying it appeared to stop just below her neck, that must have been the instant she had perished. Luckily for her as if the fire continued it would have disfigured her beautiful features, Sizhui thought she looked similar to certain women with the Lan clan with the beauty and cold expression on her face. Although what struck as odd was the ripped fabric of her sleeve, it didn’t look to be natural nor from the slice of a blade otherwise the rip would have been cleaner.

“I said, stop.” The burned woman repeated, despite the amount of people she was contrasting there wasn’t an inch of fear within her. It was almost like she’d done this before.

“Why should I listen to a nameless ghost?” Wen Fu began, as she spoke the sword moved ever so slightly closer and further away from Sizhui. If she wasn’t careful Wen Fu would end up killing Sizhui without even noticing. “You can’t even recall your own name, it’s only a matter of time before there’s nothing left of you.” Wen Fu snarled, hearing this Sizhui was shocked. Could a ghost really forget who they once were?

“I may have forgotten my name, but I have not forgotten my morals. What is to be morally right and wrong, but it seems you have.” The burned woman drew herself closer to Sizhui, lightly lifting the blade away from the boy's chest giving him some form of relief.

“He’s the enemy! He lived whilst we all died!” Wen Fu was seething with rage at this point, swinging the sword madly around. However the burned woman only began to laugh, although it was slightly unsettling given the slight rasp to her voice due to the burning.

“Who stopped you from fleeing when the Qishan Wen sect began to lose the war? Who stopped you from abandoning the name of Wen when you had the chance? Who stopped you from evacuating your villages when you caught word of the result of the war or when people came to attack the villages?” The burned woman’s voice seethed with anger and disappointment, every question she stated had a simple answer which could be easily found, but to admit the answer would be too difficult for others.

“How can you hold a grudge against a boy who was but a mere toddler when such tragic events took place?” Wen Fu staggered back at those words, despite the fact he was nearly an adult now the words struck every phantom heart which somehow beat despite having stopped thirteen years prior.

“You have no idea the struggles this boy went through,” The burned woman continued, it was then that the surrounding environment began to change. Just like it had for Jin Ling, Sizhui’s memories began to play around them. Specifically the memory of the day of the siege of the Burial Mounds.

“Run! Run!” There was various screams and shouts as the Wen remnants tried to escape the flames which the cultivators had launched on their already shabby homes. However as many of the children and parents ran the elder ones knew it was of no hope, there was but a single entrance to the Burial Mounds. And the cultivators were currently using it. Then without people even noticing the small figure of Wen Yuan was displayed crawling out of one of the burning buildings, his robes only holding on to his left shoulder as a wooden beam had fallen on his right side creating a wound no toddler should dare to experience. Sizhui was shocked to know that was how he’d acquired his scar, he’d always assumed he’d been in some foolish accident as a child. Too entranced by the sight of his younger self Sizhui didn’t notice the unmoving figure inside the collapsed building, the frail hand of a woman extended forward as she had pushed her only remaining living relative to safety in her final moments. Many of the sounds gasped at the various heart wrenching sights, whether it was death or suffering it hurt the Wen’s to know this is how some of their fellow people were treated. People who had been mere farmers or medics, not trained in the art of the sword in any which way. What was more heart wrenching to know was that not a single soul within those mounds was able to escape, with the horrible conditions within the mountain each soul had been trapped within. To never reincarnate or visit others who had suffered such a cruel fate as theirs.

“A-Yuan!” The cry of a woman came, it was then that the young Wen Yuan turned. Through his adrenaline he had not yet felt the burn covering his side, but the Wen medic knew of what was to come. Ripping off a portion of her own robes, the woman began to wrap it around Wen Yuan’s wound in hopes of preventing more dirt from infecting it. Lan Sizhui turned to look at the burned woman who had stood beside himself, her robes torn just as the woman in his memory had. Although the medic in his memory looked similar to her there was a difference, the woman beside him looked to be slightly more relaxed. Her posture was not of a woman who’d experienced horrors such as shown, it was as if she stood like a child defending their friend from a minor dispute. There wasn’t a single nerve which stood on guard for some unforeseen disaster.

“Qionglin!” The medic cried, the burned woman appeared to flinch at the name. Drawing her hand to her chest the burned woman grasped at her robes, that name had meant something to her in the past…

It was then a fierce corpse landed just before Wen Qing, his skin pale whilst black veins ran across his neck. His robes were not of the Wen sect, more of a varied array of greys and blacks. But what was the most concerning was the flakiness of the corpse's skin, as if too much movement would result in him falling to pieces.

“A-Lin…” The medic sighed as she placed a hand against the corpse's cheek, the corpse held her hand in his own hand before looking down to the small A-Yuan looking up at him in confusion.

“Take him, run as far as you can. Run before… Before…” The medic struggled with her words, tears beginning to run down her face despite her attempts to hold them back.

“Sister, it’s time I gave back all the borrowed time.” With that the fierce corpse leapt away, young Wen Young carefully tucked away in his arms as he began to make his way to the exit. But upon sneaking partway the fierce corpse came to a realisation, the young Wen Yuan would mercilessly be killed if he was to be left alone on the streets. He’d suffer a childhood just as Wei Wuxian had. Deciding against leaving the child the fierce corpse took another direction, towards the demon quelling cave. Towards Wei Wuxian’s very own bedroom, as he passed the threshold the corpse fell to his knees, the darkened veins had begun to slowly retract. Slowly releasing the soul which had been bound to the corpse.

“A-Yuan…” The corpse began, he could feel the final strings binding his soul beginning to snap. One by one…

“Hmm?” The young boy responded, hearing the sound reminded the fierce corpse of Lan Wangji in a way. He could only hope he’d kept true to his heart's desire, although whether the pair would return here was another question. But it was better for the young boy to be silently hidden away here with the slim chance of survival than to be cut down just as so many had already been. Dragging his body across the floor the corpse made his way to the side of the stone bed, there was only himself and one other who had access to this hidden compartment. Although once inside anyone could leave, he would have to hope the curiosity of Wen Yuan could be contained for a few more hours until everything died down, although he believed it would take the child a while to discover the talisman which opened the compartment. Biting his thumb the corpse began to draw out a unique array, one foreign to any cultivator of past or present. It was just then that a portion of the stone wall began to fall away revealing a compartment holding various papers and scrolls, not large enough for an adult but a child as small and malnourished as Wen Yuan could fit inside with ease.

“We are going to play hide and seek… I want you to hide inside, you are not to make a noise. Understand?” The enthusiastic young Wen nodded in agreement as he clambered inside, he wiped a small bead of sweat which was beginning to form on his brow.

“Ning-gege, where are you going to hide?” Wen Yuan questioned, still failing to notice that Wen Ning’s bones were beginning to show now.

“I won’t be far away, now be quiet.” The little Wen Yuan nodded eagerly, placing a finger to his lips as he made a ‘shh’ sound. It was just as Wen Ning was going to break the seal he looked back to Wen Yuan one more time. “A-Yuan, your auntie and I love you.” The small child failed to understand such words, but when his world was draped in darkness he began to panic.

“Ning-gege! Ning-gege! A-Yuan is scared! Let A-Yuan out!” The boy began to pound against the stone walls which he was confined in. But his cries fell on deaf ears, for there was no longer a person within the walls of the demon quelling cave to answer his cries. Only the mere empty robes which contained the dormant shell of the once soft spoken Wen Qiongling, Wen Ning.

Chapter Text

The surrounding crowd of ghosts began to murmur in disagreement, having witnessed what had happened to the boy on the day of everyone's death made some of them feel sentimental and regretful of their actions.

“Enough!” Wen Fu hollered at the now argumentative crowd. “Don’t you see what she's doing!” Wen Fu began to spin in circles as she swung her sword back and forth in fury. “She’s dissipating your anger! If you're not careful you'll disappear!” It was just then a cry rang out, it had been the cry of a young woman. Her form had slowly begun to turn more transparent than she originally had been, second by second she grew more transparent until it was as if she never existed in the first place.

“See! No one else feel sympathetic!” Although easier said than done, the group’s discourse disappeared. “No more memories! You’ll kill us all!” Wen Fu pointed the sword towards the burned woman’s form, she remained calm with her hands tucked away within her sleeves.

“But it’s only just the beginning?” The burned woman waved a hand of hers which was covered in copious amounts of burn marks, the image changed from the frozen trapped Wen Yuan to the sights of Gusu where the now named Lan Sizhui was shown to be kneeling before the wall of rules.

“Stop!” Wen Fu watched as her various clan members began to disappear, one by one slowly fading into transparency. “Why do you help this boy!? He loves and protects the people who did this to you!” Wen Fu screamed as she lunged at the burned woman, grasping the front of her robes she could only slightly pull at the burned woman on account of her shorter height.

“Because…” The burned woman began, her eyes drifting to the figure of Sizhui who watched in awe as his memories continued to pass by. Every instance of pain and suffering he’d endured was perfectly encaptured right before them, but in each instance Lan Sizhui could recall the following events.

When he’d finally awoken inside the stone compartment after his many hours of screaming and crying for help he’d escaped through the use of the talisman, finding a confused and distraught Wei Wuxian who had cuddled and comforted him ensuring he would protect him. When he’d been whipped by Lan Qiren he had been carefully comforted by his father who promised to help him in the future.

When Wei Wuxian had been pierced through the chest right before his eyes Jin Ling had been beside him, despite them having only just become friends he had been a comfort to him.

When they’d escaped the cavern Jin Ling had been another form of comfort for him, through his carefully placed words and reassuring presence whilst the pair of them had visited the small pond in the Cloud Recesses. He had been a much better assistance than Sizhui’s foolish use of alcohol, although he still couldn’t remember the events of that night.

“He is a child. So is the Jin. I refuse to stand by and allow them to pay for their parents' crimes.” With that the burned woman grasped hold of Wen Fu’s face, her squished face tightly held in the burned woman’s grasp. Confusion written across Wen Fu’s face, that was until she saw the sight of the crowd. Or more accurately the small gathering of children left behind in the confusion, they had never understood any of the images shown before them. All they understood was the people in the yellow robes had caused them suffering, the arguments the adults held was not to their concern. But having watched the images before them they realised that the Lan before them was just as they were, a victim to war. Yet, he’d been unfortunate enough to survive it. One by one each child slowly began to make their way to the unresponsive Sizhui, sitting beside him as they all continued to watch memories.

“But- But they- We- He has- We cannot-” Wen Fu struggled to grasp hold of her words in the moment, dropping her sword at the realisation she no longer had anyone backing her and more importantly the lack of spirits meant there was not enough resentful energy in order to kill the Jin anymore. A blood curdling scream ripped from Wen Fu’s throat as she dropped to her knees, hands clutching at her chest, yet there was only one soul in the room to care. Settling Wen Cheng with the other children, Wen Ai began to make her way towards her sister, despite having forgiven the Jin boy herself Wen Ai’s resentment towards the Jin sect in general had no change in the slightest.

“A-Fu, I think it’s time you rest.” Wen Ai began, crouching down beside the pitiful figure which was now Wen Fu.

“Ai, they killed us…” Wen Fu continued to sob, she couldn’t rest as simply as everyone else had. She watched it all, she’d witnessed as everyone of them had been slaughtered. Wen Fu had heard every cry, every scream, every final breath had been witnessed by her own eyes. The sight burned into her very soul. “How can you forgive so easily…” Knowing her sister could never understand her own views, Wen Ai merely placed a hand against her sister's shoulder.

“I just can.” Wen Fu couldn’t accept that answer, more like she never could accept such an answer. Not from her own family, not from her own blood sister. Dragging her defeated body to her feet Wen Fu began to walk away towards a destination only she herself knew of.

“A-Fu, where are you going?” Wen Ai outstretched an arm in confusion as she attempted to keep her sister stationary. However, Wen Fu only temporarily froze before she continued her steps.

“To someone who still understands me.” With that Wen Fu’s corporal form began to slowly disappear leaving the burned woman, Wen Ai and the children behind. Knowing she could no longer help her sister, Wen Ai turned to the burned woman who had been watching the interaction between the two sisters with a careful eye. Once the cruel images were no longer needed the burned woman had slowly allowed them to change to more pleasant ones from Sizhui’s youth even the select few which had been within the Burial Mounds.

“Do you not wish to follow her?” The burned woman began, Wen Ai merely sighed. Her sister had always been a strange one, in life or in death she was bound to cause problems in more than one way or another.

“No matter how the wind howls, a mountain cannot bow.” Hearing her words the burned woman knew she needed no explanation for Wen Fu’s future actions, she wouldn’t surrender to anyone but herself. She would probably never peacefully pass on due to the incessant need for revenge, for the scales to be made even once more.

“And yourself?” The burned woman queried.

“I am a mother. Is that not reason enough to protect a child?” A small smile graced the face of the burned woman, Wen Ai was right. She needed no other reason, the power of the maternal heart of a mother was a powerful one indeed.

“What of the children?” Wen Ai questioned the burned woman, despite being children they still emitted resentment energy, which the cultivators would attempt to purge come the morning sun.

“I know of a couple who would love to help them, they would help you as well.” The burned woman continued, watching as Wen Ai’s eyes softened as she glanced over the children. “You are not a Qishan Wen,” The burned woman stated, she was firm in convincing Wen Ai to travel with her and the children, she had suffered a cruel fate. Yet when it came down to the reasoning of her suffering it all centred around where her heart had lay, with the soul of her daughter. Wen Ai turned to the burned woman by this point, her eyes pleading an answer for who she truly was. “You are a mother. Should you need to be anything more?” With a gracious smile Wen Ai gently pulled the burned woman into a hug.

“Thank you.” The words passed her lips as a mere whisper but they held all the gratitude her soul could muster. It was soon that the pair of women began to lead each child into a uniform group fit for travelling. Meanwhile Sizhui was still entranced in the images before him. Taking note of his current state the burned woman thought to show a memory of Jin Ling’s which had been unable to be used by the malicious Wen Fu. As Wen Ai carefully adjusted Wen Cheng onto her hip the images slowly changed to that of a twilit inn, with two individuals dressed in white robes dancing across table tops like heaven blessed lovers.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

“Wangji!” Lan Xichen exclaimed to his younger brother, Lan Wangji was perfectly still as he listened to his brother's exclamation. “How could you go behind my back when I specifically told both of you an experienced disciple would carry out the process in the morning?” Lan Wangji remained calm whilst his brother continued pacing.

“Not enough time. The ceremony was necessary now.” Lan Xichen continued to pace back and forth, not accepting his brother's words.

“Wangji! He could die in there! Did you not consider the fact he’s but a mere child?” Lan Wangji nodded his head in understanding.

“I am aware of A-Yuan’s age. He is my son. My son will not perish to such simple spirits.” Still flummoxed by Lan Wangji’s words Lan Xichen made what Lan Wangji assumed was a disgruntled noise.

“Wangji, he is still inexperienced!”

“Have a little more faith in me uncle…” Lan Sizhui uttered out, he appeared to be a lot more drained than he had initially expected but nonetheless he had accomplished his goal.

“A-Yuan…” Lan Xichen stumbled as he made his way beside Sizhui, helping him to stumble to his feet.

“What happened to your arm?” Lan Xichen questioned, taking note of the blood slowly seeping through his right sleeve. Not realising his injuries had transferred with him, Sizhui settled on the edge of Jin Ling’s bed.

“Oh, Wen Fu struck me.” Lan Wangji and Lan Xichen exchanged looks between one another, having no knowledge of Wen Fu the pair filed any questions they had for later.

“Let us patch you up.” Lan Xichen explained as he assisted Sizhui to his feet, the younger moved without much hesitance, although the blood loss may have been clouding his judgement and decisions slightly.

“A-Yuan,” Lan Wangji began as he stood beside Sizhui just before he’d left the main room with Lan Xichen. “Did you succeed?” Lan Sizhui merely smiled and nodded in acknowledgment.

“They can rest now.” Lan Xichen then began to drag his nephew towards where he could give him medical treatment. His nephew was an exact mix of his parents just like he’d feared.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

Over the course of the next few days Zizhen and Jingyi had awoken, due to Wen Ai and the burned woman’s influence many of the spirits had left the bodies of the two boys making it easier for constant amounts of spiritual energy to flush out any remaining disgruntled spirits or remaining resentment energy. But despite having all the spirits leave his body and having both his body and core cleaned of any residual resentful energy Jin Ling refused to awaken. Despite the use of various herbs and techniques even the healers were stumped as to why the boy refused to awaken.

“Sizhui, how come you never visit the healers?” Jingyi questioned as the pair of them continued to write out the rules of the Lan clan, Jingyi had yet again broken another rule, whilst Sizhui had gone directly behind his uncle's back by performing empathy.

“I’d rather not,” Sizhui stated, rolling down onto his elbows to give himself a short break. Jingyi did the same although his landing was more of a loud thud than a graceful descent like Sizhui’s. Jingyi had yet to perfect his landings. “I don’t want to do as my father did.” That was only a partial truth, yes Sizhui didn’t want to do as Lan Wangji had done for years. Stare aimlessly at the unconscious body of his lover in hopes if he just watched for long enough then somehow he would awaken. But the reason Sizhui would never admit, was he couldn’t bear to look at Jin Ling in such a state, he looked so at peace now the spirits didn’t plague his body and mind. But he also looked exactly like a corpse, the only thing that gave the comforting reminder that he was alive was the slow rising and sinking from his chest but even that was something that could be missed in the blink of an eye. Leaving the boy to recover in his own time was the easier of the two.

“You guys scare me with that freaky arm strength sometimes…” Zizhen muttered from his seat at the library table nearby, he’d been asleep for most of the time in the library but each time he’d awoken the two boys had been in their handstand writing out their own pages of rules.

“If you think we’re strong you should see Hanguan-Jun, he’s one of the strongest yet able to control his strength so carefully. There was a rumour once that he could delicately slice the single petal on a haitang whilst leaving the rest of the flower untouched.” Jingyi gushed about none other than Lan Wangji himself, although he could probably attempt the feat if he really wished, Sizhui was pretty sure his father had never attempted such a thing.

“You really are a fanboy.” Sizhui muttered under his breath, sadly Jingyi managed to overhear the words. Launching himself at Sizhui in retaliation, Zizhen feared he’d have to separate the two from a brawl but quickly lowered himself to his seat when he heard the incessant giggles of Sizhui who was now being tickled unforgivingly.

“Say I’m not a fanboy!” Jingyi demanded as he continued to tickle Sizhui who had tears beginning to form at the edge of his eyes.

“N-ne-never…” Fits of giggles continued to escape Sizhui’s lips as Jingyi’s tickling only continued.

“Fine by me!” Jingyi declared as he began to tickle Sizhui even more, the latter having tears actually escaping his eyes as he laughed now. His face had slowly grown to a rosy red tone.

“J-Jin-Jingyi! St-stop!” Sizhui hollered out between laughs, the pair were oblivious to the individual who had opened the library door in that moment.

“Yeah Jingyi, stop.” The individual laughed out as he leant against the door frame, arms crossed with a smirk across his lips. The two entangled on the floor didn’t even realise who had spoken, only Jingyi mocked them.

“Fine, fine. I’ll stop, but he deserved it- Jin Ling?” Seeing the boy up and around not only shocked Jingyi but the other two in the room. However what shocked everyone even more was Sizhui leaping towards the boy entrapping him in a embrace

“And I thought he was clingy.” Jingyi joked to Zizhen who merely laughed at the small remark.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

“Could you really not cope without me for a single day?” Jin Ling joked to Sizhui who had been stuck beside him ever since his earlier reappearance. The pair had ended up sitting upon the small bridge near Sizhui’s room, feet dangling off the small height the bridge offered. Jin Ling had kicked his feet into the water a multitude of times by this point, despite it being cold the water was relaxing in a way for him.

“Jin Ling, you were asleep for almost a week.” Hearing those words pass from his lover's lips, Jin Ling froze momentarily.

“I-I didn’t know that…” He managed to stutter out as he kicked the water once more. “But I’m awake now.” He attempted to keep the atmosphere a positive one, taking note of this Sizhui continue to improve the mood.

“Yeah, you're awake and safe.” Tilting his head to the side Sizhui leant his head on Jin Ling’s shoulder, the younger having no refusal of the action. Jin Ling merely glanced his eyes over to the Lan who had slowly become so much more to him than he’d ever expected, taking note of his eyes glazing over the somewhat still water on the account of Jin Ling’s kicking. Watching as the beautiful amethyst tones of his eyes absorbed the evening light, even making the lotus flowers jealous of their beauty. It was then his eyes took notice of the slowly drooping ribbon across his forehead.

“Sizhui, your forehead ribbon,” The elder merely raised his head whilst taking note of the fact, his eyes glanced upwards before he could even realise Jin Ling’s next actions. “Here let me fix it.” Simply gliding his fingers to the end of the cloud embroidered ribbon Jin Ling untied the ribbon without much thought. Meanwhile Sizhui’s face has slowly risen in a rosy red colour, to make matters worse Lan Wangji had made an unexpected visit to Sizhui intending to have the conversation he’d mentioned prior to Jin Ling’s return. Pausing after seeing his flustered son’s feeble attempt to regain his forehead ribbon but inevitably ended up sitting atop of Jin Ling.

“A-Yuan, may I have a word?” Lan Wangji posed, Lan Sizhui froze instantly hearing the cold tone in his fathers voice. This wasn’t going to be the simplest of explanations. Slowly but carefully Sizhui clambered his way off of Jin Ling with his forehead ribbon in tow, the father and son duo disappearing inside the Chunshi where no one could interrupt them.

“Before you say anything I will take any and all blame for Jin Ling’s actions! He has no clue about the forehead ribbon and we were just talking and-“ Lan Wangji raised a hand to prevent Sizhui talking further, he had seen enough of the pair to understand the situation.

“A-Yuan, do you care for young master Jin?” His words were slow and careful, as if he didn’t dare make a single misstep.

“Yes, the moment I met Jin Ling something felt different. Through spending time with him I have come to relax more,” Lan Wangji nodded in understanding as Sizhui continued to speak. “Almost as if with him beside me I can become someone better than I ever imagined.” Throughout his words Sizhui’s ears slowly began to rise in temperature as the colour began to turn a rosy tone.

“Does young master Jin reciprocate this?” Lan Wangji had settled himself at the small table within Sizhui’s room at this point, the younger quickly followed suit sitting directly across from his father.

“I believe so.” Despite saying he believed so, Lan Sizhui’s fist tightened in on itself, his nails digging into the skin of his palm.

“There is doubt.” It wasn’t a question, Lan Wangji knew his son doubted Jin Ling’s affections. Even if it was only ever so slightly, that doubt sat at the innermost depths of his heart, possibly it was the part of himself that was Wen Yuan that doubted Jin Ling’s affections.

“What if… What if he finds out?” No additional words were required, both individuals understood what Lan Sizhui had meant. What if he found out about Wei Wuxian? What if he found out he was a Wen?

“If young master Jin were to have killed myself would you be angry with him?” The question took Sizhui aback for a few seconds, he couldn’t imagine anyone being able to kill his father. He was Hanguan-Jun, one of the most powerful people in the cultivation world.

“I… I…” Sizhui wasn’t able to come to a complete answer, in his eyes and how he had been raised as a Lan he would have to look at additional facts to the scenario. If Jin Ling had been coerced into committing such a crime then he would not be angry with Jin Ling himself, merely the person who caused the incident to occur. But if he had been the one to kill his father, he wouldn’t know… He was taught to not hold grudges, to forgive others, to not succumb to rage. But what would those teachings be worth if someone was to take one of the most important people in his life away from him?

“You cannot begin to understand the pain young master Jin has been through having to decide something like this. To hate the one who took away the very people who were supposed to raise you.” Lan Sizhui knew his father knew the pain of losing not just one parental figure, but both. So in some way he could relate to Jin Ling, but then this didn’t resolve Sizhui’s initial problem.

“But A-Die, he will hate me.” Lan Wangji merely shook his head at his son’s panicked words, he even believed Sizhui reminded him of his younger self. Back during the lectures of Gusu when he contemplated revealing his feelings towards Wei Wuxian, although thinking back that was one of Lan Wangji’s biggest regrets in his life. He was proud his son was able to express his sincere feelings to the one he cared about.

“Ridiculous. Wei Ying practises demonic cultivation, which goes directly against our principles. Do I hate him for it?” Lan Sizhui slowly shook his head back and forth, throughout every story he’d heard from both his uncle and father himself Sizhui had only heard how despite what Wei Wuxian would do Lan Wangji never once faltered to defend him. Despite his methods Wei Wuxian’s only goal was to help everyone which surrounded him.

“Wei Ying, is the son of a servant. Does that affect my affections for him?” Lan Sizhui shook his head once more, a Lan like themselves would never care for one's background.

“Then why should young master Jin care for who or where your history follows? What matters is your current and future actions.”

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

“I can’t believe it’s almost the end of the lectures already.” Jingyi whined to the group as they traversed down the halls of the Cloud Recesses, it had been a long six months alongside each other but not a single one of the group would have stated it was an unhappy six months well minus the cave incident and the events afterwards. But after such events nothing major had occurred between the group, there were the odd disputes between the group alongside the occasional complaint from Jingyi about being fed dog food.

“It has been six months, I’m sure you must miss home by now?” Sizhui questioned Jin Ling who appeared to be in deep thought.

“Huh? Oh yeah.” Jin Ling hadn’t even remotely listened to the conversation of the group for some time now, his thoughts were focused on the inevitable end of the lectures. Especially about which place he’d be returning to, he hoped it to be Yunmeng. It had been too long since he’d last visited and he believed the additional time away from Lanling would not only be a positive thing for himself but Zizhen as well.

“Do you think sect leader Jiang will come to collect you guys?” Jingyi questioned Zizhen who was much more alert in the current conversation.

“Perhaps, although if it’s busy in Yunmeng then perhaps Xiang-shijie will come to collect us.” Zizhen admitted, even he hoped to be returning to Yunmeng, although that might have been because the colder months were upon them and being within Yunmeng meant warmer temperatures. True they did have the lakes freeze over but it was typically over only a single month towards the end of the year, many of the children and disciples in Yunmeng would use this opportunity to attempt ice skating although it typically resulted in various injured and bruised individuals.

“Who’s Xiang-shijie?” Jingyi continued to question as the group entered the classroom, very few people had arrived yet, it would be a while before Lan Wangji arrived to begin the classes of the day.

“The head disciple of Yunmeng, she’s almost the same age as the sect leader himself although rumour has it she didn’t originate from Yunmeng or anywhere nearby for that matter.” Jingyi raised an eyebrow at this newfound knowledge, although the destruction of Lotus Pier was common knowledge in many of the history books it was also known that the disciples which began it’s foundation anew were of local smaller clans which suffered from the war.

“Where did she come from then?” There wasn’t even a second for Zizhen to respond to Jingyi’s curiosity. Jin Ling had answered with a sharp tone to his voice, very clearly stating that this conversation was over and done with.

“Lanling. Qin Xiang is related to the Jin clan.” Settling in his seat and facing away from the group, Jin Ling lost himself in his mind, thinking over the next few tasks he’s most likely to face when returning to Lanling. Most likely the annoyance that is his uncle Jin Guangyao. Looking between one another the three others thought it best to leave the boy alone, afterall they only had a few days left with one another, striking up an argument now would not be ideal.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

“Jin Ling,” Sizhui knocked upon the boy's room. He'd disappear as soon as the lessons had finished. Even Lan Wangji had noticed his immediate exit of the room without his fellow classmates, the man had even glanced at his son in a questioning glance but Sizhui had only been able to shake his head. He had no clue what was traversing through the boy’s mind. “Can I come in?” Sizhui was greeted by silence, knocking once more and receiving no response Sizhui took it upon himself to enter. If Jin Ling wasn’t inside then there was no harm done really. However, Jin Ling was inside, although he wasn’t conscious. The boy was half laid across the small table in the corner of his room, various pieces of papers with varying writing across the pages. It looked as if they hadn’t been written long ago, taking a brief glance at them Sizhui realised they weren’t just random notes and scribbles. These were plans. Plans to do with the Jin sect. He didn’t want to intrude too far so Sizhui turned his attention to the mess which was his lover. Face attached to a piece of paper which appeared to have wet ink on, most likely leaving a mirror print across the boy's face. His brush lay barely on the tips of Jin Ling’s fingers, deciding it was better if he actually slept in his bed instead of awkwardly sprawled across a table Sizhui began to carefully and quietly begin to clean. Organising the dry papers into a uniform stack, the wet ones laid in a horizontal line hopefully the slight warmth the closed off room generated would dry the ink quicker than usual. It was when Sizhui came to peel the sheet of paper from Jin Ling’s face when surprise struck him, Sizhui had vaguely glanced at the words across each sheet of paper. It was merely a habit, not something he had done of ill intent. Yet the slightly smudged writing stated his name specifically, part of him had tried to put the paper in the rows of other sheets. To avoid looking at it he had spent the next twenty minutes carefully removing Jin Ling’s outer robes, leaving the boy in his inner ones as he was carefully put to rest in his own bed. Sizhui hadn’t had the opportunity to wipe the ink away, he feared the cold temperature of water when pressed against his face would awaken him. But there sat his name again, although backwards Sizhui could make it out. He attempted to leave the room, to give Jin Ling the privacy he deserved. He was a man of the Lan sect, it wasn’t within himself to spy into the affairs of others. But the smallest part of himself couldn’t understand why the younger had written his name. So against his better judgement Sizhui returned to the rows of paper and began to read the smudged ink.

┏━━━◥◣◆◢◤━━━━┓

Of utmost of importance -

• Ensure Lady Qingyang’s arrangements

• Ouyang Zizhen is arranged in a suitable position

• Jin Guangyao is arranged a suitable position

• Jin Qiang is arranged suitable punishment

• Jin disciples training regimen to be altered

• Visit Uncle Jiang when appropriate

• Introduce Lan Sizhui to Uncle Jiang

• Find suitable gift for Lan Sizhui

• —--------------

┗━━━◢◤◆◥◣━━━━┛

The last line had been smudged beyond recognition, however the list was enough for Sizhui to already develop a dust of blush across his ears. Jin Ling had intended to introduce him to his family in the near future, that was not something he was prepared for.

“Sizhui…” A gravelly voice questioned from behind him, turning around Sizhui was met with a sleepy Jin Ling, the cover slowly sliding away as he wiped his eyes. “What are you doing here?” Wandering over to the boy's side, Sizhui crouched down with a soft smile.

“I came to check on you, are you okay?” Jin Ling wasn’t fully awake at this point, his sleepy state didn’t fully allow himself to comprehend the situation he was in. In his mind he was currently still inside a dream.

“Mmm.” Jin Ling instantly became grabby, wrapping his arms around the now startled Sizhui, Jin Ling pulled the older into the bed with him. With being crouched beside Jin Ling’s bed Sizhui was in no position to stop himself being pulled in, his balance was too distorted.

“Jin Ling,” Sizhui couldn’t even begin to question why the younger had pulled him into the bed or why he was currently sat atop of him, his soft expression melting Sizhui’s heart; making any attempt at resistance a mere whisper in the wind. “Wha-” The elder was silenced by none other than Jin Ling’s lips on his own, it wasn’t a short one either. It was a long and passionate one, one that felt as if it'd been held back longer than someone wanted to wait. Although it was shocking Sizhui didn’t fight against it, he began to lean into it. His mind floating back to what he’d witnessed in Jin Ling’s mind, the scene of the pair of them dancing in the moonlight. But specifically the moment where he had intended to kiss Jin Ling, it was obvious his intentions yet the younger had stopped him. Probably due to the fact he’d been under the influence of alcohol, something he had still yet to mention to his father, but the expression across Jin Ling’s face in that moment had been of want, of desire. Yet he thought better of Sizhui’s own needs in that moment than of his own desires. Although his desire right now was pretty clear, in this sleep induced state he was allowing what he must have been dreaming of to become a reality. The pair remained locked against one another, Jin Ling’s fingers running through the Lan’s hair, Sizhui’s doing just the same in an attempt to bring them closer than they already were. Jin Ling’s hands continued to move through the Lan’s hair, not stopping until he reached the knot of the forehead ribbon. It wasn’t until the feeling of cold air hitting the portion of his forehead where his ribbon once resided did Sizhui part, watch as a smirk crossed across Jin Ling’s face.

“You won’t be needing this.” Tossing the ribbon aside within the confines of the bedding Jin Ling began to kiss against Sizhui’s lips once more, the elder struggling in an attempt to break away. It wasn’t the fact he wasn’t enjoying it, Sizhui himself had wanted this for a while now however the current situation was not the one he expected to find himself in. Especially not when his forehead ribbon had been removed by Jin Ling himself!

“Ling, wait-” But the younger one refused to listen, merely using his fingers to gently move Sizhui’s face to meet with him once more.

“My Yuan…” Hearing his birth name shocked Sizhui enough to give him the strength to flip the pair of them. Sizhui’s robes had begun to slip off his shoulders by this point, basically sat at his waist at this point, whilst Jin Ling’s hair had fallen down his back giving an alluring perspective for Sizhui. Using all the self restraint he had to not taste Jin Ling’s lips himself this time around.

“Ling… You aren’t thinking properly… Why don’t we-” Sizhui hadn’t had a chance to recollect his thoughts on what to do next when he heard a squeak from the doorway as the door opened to reveal Zizhen.

“I- I’m sorry!” He hollered before sprinting away from the door, realising what had just occurred Sizhui instantly panicked. Not even taking the chance to retrieve his forehead ribbon to retie or even grab his outer layer of robes he took off in chase of Zizhen. With Sizhui now vacant Jin Ling’s mind began to wander, quickly resulting in his passing out once more, although it was Sizhui’s robes which acted as a cover instead of the actual blanket from earlier. 

The pair were currently racing around the Cloud Recesses, one in an attempt to flee what he had just witnessed and the other trying to ensure the knowledge of what the other had witnessed didn’t leave his mouth.

“Zizhen!” Sizhui yelled with more of a sharpness than he had intended, not wanting to be caught by the angered Sizhui as Zizhen believed he only continued to run. Making a break for the back hills where Jingyi currently was meditating, although sleeping would be more accurate.

“Was that young master Ouyang?” A disciple questioned as the blur of Zizhen fled past them, their companion tried to examine the quickly disappearing blur but was quickly moved aside when another came speeding past.

“Young master Lan!” The pair exclaimed, they’d never seen Lan Sizhui run before. Not only that but the boy was dressed incredibly improperly for Lan standards.

“We need to find Hanguan-Jun.” The pair chorused before quickly walking away, the sect heir may currently be breaking the rules but the pair wouldn’t be caught doing it.

“Jingyi!” Zizhen hollered as he finally reached the small tree the boy was napping under. Zizhen was panting as he began to speak.

“Rulan- Sizhui- They-” It was only merely a few seconds later Zizhen was tackled to the ground by the white blur that was Lan Sizhui, this even startled Jingyi to his feet.

“Shut up! It was a misunderstanding I swear!” It sounded like Sizhui was trying to convince himself as well as the other two, but by the state of Sizhu’s current attire Jingyi didn’t think there was much to misunderstand.

“Sizhui, the pair of you haven’t even officially begun courting yet you think this is appropriate!” Jingyi hollered, pulling Sizhui away from Zizhen for the latter's own sake, being rattled by Sizhui like this probably wasn’t an experience Jingyi imagined to be a pleasant one.

“I haven’t done anything!” Sizhui attempted to explain to the sceptical Jingyi who merely looked the boy up and down in disagreement.

“Your appearance says otherwise.” Confused by Jingyi’s words Sizhui began to pat himself down, the sudden realisation of his missing outer robe threw him into a panic. It became even worse when his hands finally reached his forehead where his ribbon was absent.

“I- I can- Can explain…”

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

“Young master Jin.” The boy in question heard the voice calling his name, although unable to place it he merely turned over, the light leaking into his room through the currently open door wasn’t helping him return to sleep.

“Young master Jin.” The voice appeared sharper this time, a tone of irritation hidden beneath although slightly concealed. Jin Ling merely snuggled in on himself more, grasping hold of whatever he could, however it  was a material which seemed thinner in contrast to his usual bed sheets.

“Jin Rulan!” Hearing his name with such anger and disrespect Jin Ling instantly shot up from his covers, he couldn’t even recall how he’d gotten into his bed in the first place with his outer robes missing but that wasn’t his current issue. It was the angered Lan Wangji who stood in his doorway, if looks could kill Jin Ling would have been pierced through hundreds of times already.

“H-Hanguan-Jun,” Jin Ling quickly bowed in respect, it was only now he realised his hair had fallen down his back as well. Believing he was disrespecting Lan Wangji by having his hair down in this manner he quickly grasped around the bed until he grabbed hold of a ribbon and quickly tied it around his loosely grasped hair, yet the fury in Lan Wangji’s eyes appeared to only worsen at the motion. “This one apologises for his tardiness, how can I help the esteemed Hanguan-Jun?” Bowing once more Jin Ling refused to rise, the look Lan Wangji was greeting him with was enough to scare the soul from his very body. The pair remained in silence, Lan Wangji in outrage and Jin Ling in fear for the man. He knew Lan Wangji was aware of his and Sizhui’s relationship, but they hadn’t done anything to provoke his anger. They merely spent time around one another, yes they may have been acting closer than usual either by being literally sat beside the other or Jin Ling falling asleep on Lan Sizhui’s lap more often than he’d like to admit but that hadn’t been made aware by anyone except Lan Jingyi and Ouyang Zizhen. Before Jin Ling could think further as to why Lan Wangji had so much fury targeted towards him the man swiped at the ribbon holding his hair into place, the ebony strands falling down his back once more.

“Shameless!” Lan Wangji seethed whilst exiting the room, not once taking a glance back. It was only when Jin Ling turned to look behind himself did he notice his red ribbon lay beside his pillow. That begged the question, what had Jin Ling used to tie his hair up with? And why did he have an additional set of robes on his bed?

Chapter Text

“Sizhui, please look at me…” Jin Ling begged Sizhui as the pair were making their way to the final exam within the Cloud Recesses, after this exam the disciples were given a few days before they would have their result revealed and soon after be collected by their parents.

“Jin Ling we don’t have time, we will be late.” The elder muttered as he continued his footsteps to class, he couldn’t look the younger in the face. His mind kept wandering to the incident a few days ago, he hadn’t been around recently due to his Uncle needing his help on Sect matters over the last few days, but now he was to attend the exam Sizhui had no excuse to avoid the Jin heir.

“No we won’t!” Jin Ling grabbed hold of Sizhui’s sleeve, forcing the older to stop although Sizhui decided the stone flooring was more interesting than Jin Ling. “It’s been days and no one will give me an answer!” Jin Ling hollered, he was breaking the rules but Sizhui didn’t have the heart to tell him. “Zizhen has told me to ask you, Jingyi has informed me it is something you have to tell me myself, Hanguan-Jun looks like he’s going to skewer me with his eyes alone. So please tell me!” Sizhui continued to shake his head in denial, he wasn’t a hundred percent sure how to explain the situation to Jin Ling. Afterall he wasn’t blameless in the situation, he had instigated it slightly.

“I- I can’t!” Sizhui stammered out, his fists trembling. He wanted to tell him, he truly did. He wanted to experience those few blissful moments once more. It was as if a lightbulb had gone off inside of Sizhui’s head, without a single word he began to drag Jin Ling away to a nearby empty classroom. They wouldn’t be late, Sizhui had ensured they’d be early originally so even if he did as he planned they’d make it with plenty of time to spare.

“Sizhui what are yo-” Jin Ling didn’t even manage to finish his words, Sizhui had stolen them from him. It was a short kiss, Sizhui had only merely meant to shock the Jin heir.

“I can’t tell you, so I’ll show you.” Jin Ling without thought grasped hold of Sizhui’s robes locking their lips together once more, the feeling of them being intertwined was an addicting one. Almost as if he couldn’t cope without it. Although Jin Ling had now instigated it he wasn’t the one to remain in control, very quickly it became apparent who was the one in control as Sizhui ended up twisting them so he remained on top. It wasn’t long till the pair slowly managed to end up on the floor, although more specifically Jin Ling was leaning against the teachers desk in bliss whilst Sizhui was atop. They only parted to regain their breath, yet after those few seconds they were locked against one another once more. Lost in the depths that was one another.

“Siz- Sizhui,” Jin Ling managed to gasp between kisses, his mind was solely focused on what was occurring between the pair of them. Yet a small portion of himself reminded him of where he was. “The… Exam…” Sizhui was oblivious to the words, despite his intent only to be a short chaste kiss his mind was currently relishing in this moment.

“It doesn’t matter…” Sizhui managed to answer, he knew he shouldn’t be doing this to Jin Ling. He was a prestigious Sect heir like himself, yet the boy's lips were so pliant underneath him. Knowing Sizhui would regret this decision later, Jin Ling grasped hold of Sizhui’s shoulders.

“Lan Yuan!” Sizhui was shaken, he was only ever called that by his Uncle and father when he was in trouble which was a very, very rare occurrence.

“We have an exam to get to, we can continue this later.” It was with those words Jin Ling pulled himself upright, flattened out his ruffled hair alongside smoothing out his creased robes. He quickly undid Sizhui’s headband and retied it whilst the Lan sat in shock, it was crooked which was something he knew the Lan wasn’t allowed.

“Come on.” Jin Ling ordered, pulling Sizhui to his feet as they quickly walked to the exam. Afterall they were in the Cloud Recesses, running was prohibited.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

“Where have you and Jin Ling been running off to recently?” Jingyi questioned Sizhui as they continued on their way to the Sect leaders office, it was the day for the parents to collect the disciples. Apparently there was an issue which needed resolving, apparently Sizhui would benefit from witnessing such an event.

“We haven’t been running off, we were just merely enjoying one another's company.” Jingyi didn’t need to be made aware of what ‘enjoying one another’s company’ contained specifically.

“Right…” Jingyi didn’t believe Sizhui’s words, not one bit. “Why do you think Sect leader Lan wants you to witness this event?” Sizhui merely shrugged his shoulders, he would have preferred seeing Jin Ling off instead. Although now that he thought about it he hadn’t seen Jin Ling in a long while. He might have left already… Finally arriving at the Sect leaders office Jingyi took notice of someone dressed in Ouyang robes.

“Zizhen!” He hollered before running up to greet the person, Sizhui merely continued his steady walk before re-joining them.

“I thought you left already?” Jingyi began to question, the pair of Lan’s could see that the clothes he was wearing were not designed for his size anymore. The sleeves were too short and the belt was just barely being tied.

“We were about to leave with Jin Guangyao, that was until-”

“Bastard! You are not taking my nephew again!” Jiang Cheng’s booming voice passed through the not so thick doors of Lan Xichen’s office. The two Lan’s now understood as to why such an incident required Sizhui’s attendance. It was a war between Sect’s and the Lan Sect had been chosen as the battlefield.

“I take it Sect leader Jiang is not in the best of moods?” Jingyi whispered to Zizhen who had been listening to the back and forth arguing for some time now, the former nodded in acknowledgment. Without much choice Sizhui knocked upon the door, hopefully his arrival would distract the pair for a while. Sizhui was surprised when it was his father who opened the door, a look of weariness across his face. Lan Wangji never did enjoy vocal conflicts, especially with the Jiang Sect leader of all people. Making his way inside the individuals in the room froze, watching him with suspicious eyes as he made his way to sit beside his father who in turn was seated beside Lan Xichen. The group was situated around a square table. The Lan’s to the north, Jin Guangyao to the west, Jiang Cheng to the east whilst poor Jin Ling who had a distant look in his eyes was situated south.

“Why have you brought a child to this discussion?” Jin Guangyao calmly questioned, his eyes already beginning to analyse the boy.

“Now you care about bringing children into this discussion? You don’t care when A-Rulan is made to do your Sect leaders work!” Jiang Cheng hollered, Jin Ling remained motionless it was almost like he’d tuned out from the entire world.

“Young master Jin took it of his own choice to carry out the work he does, no one has forced him into such a position.”

“He’s a child! Even if it was his choice, someone should have stopped him. But then if he was to stop, who would pick up the work?” Jin Guangyao didn’t have a retort for that accusation, his supposed father was too obsessed with his luxury to take note of Sect matters. Madam Jin had succumbed to her depression years prior and was therefore unavailable to carry out duties, Jin Guangyao had run himself so far into the ground the only reason he could perform the duties he could was through constant use of medication which was slowly beginning to become less and less effective as the days passed.

“I rest my case. A-Rulan will be returning to Lotus pier alongside myself, he only has three years till he inherits the title of Sect leader. He should be allowed to thrive in that time.” Jiang Cheng turned to Lan Xichen who had been silent in the current argument.

“A-Yao, I believe sect leader Jiang is correct here. Young master Jin is merely a child, if I’d been made aware of this sooner I would have confronted you about it sooner.” A small smirk played along Jiang Cheng’s lips, he’d won the upper hand however knowing that Lan Xichen and Jin Guangyao had a closer relationship than he had made him slightly nervous.

“It is merely practise, young master Jin failed to receive Jin sect teachings from a very young age on the account of Sect leader Jiang keeping him within the Jiang sect.” Jiang Cheng shook his head in annoyance.

“Was I to leave him to you and your sect? When his parents died not a single person offered to care for him? You would have left him to be raised by servants?” Jin Guangyao had an uncomfortable expression across his face, that was how every Jin heir had been raised. Granted in most recent years that appeared to be causing their leads to become greedy and privileged.

“Did you not do the exact same? You were barely an adult yourself, attempting to rebuild a destroyed Sect. Did you not leave him in the hands of servants?” The suggestion of servants within the Jiang sect flickered alight a fuse which had laid dormant for many years.

“The Jiang sect has no servants. For you to suggest such a thing is insulting, the Jiang sect has never had a servant and never will.” It was then a flickering thought came to Jin Guangyao’s mind, something he knew would get underneath the Jiang’s skin.

“Not even your supposed brother Wei Wuxian?” An unmistakable silence descended across the room, Lan Wangji even appeared alert now despite having been uncaring in the discussion prior. Sizhui feared he would betray the truth if something was to be revealed about the one he called mother, Lan Xichen couldn’t merely have him step outside the room at this point. It would be too suspicious.

“My brother was no servant, he was the head disciple of the Yunmeng Jiang Sect.” There was a seething anger laid beneath the somewhat calm tone Jiang Cheng spoke in.

“Despite being called your brother he was merely a disciple? Should he not have been more? And what of the rumours surrounding him? The rumours between the late sect leader Jiang and him?” Jiang Cheng had to maintain a calm appearance, the world hated Wei Wuxian and in turn he had to uphold a somewhat hatred towards him. Although he wouldn’t let his prior accomplishments be tarnished.

“Wei Wuxian was never formally adopted by my parents. As for the rumours they were never confirmed.” Jin Guangyao knew he had wedged a blade into a particularly sore spot for the Jiang leader, he just had to hammer it through.

“But what of your relationship with Wei Wuxian, were you not a part of the final siege of the Burial Mounds?” Not only was Jiang Cheng’s attention captivated but Jin Ling as well, looking up to his uncle with betrayal in his eyes.

“Uncle?” It had been the first word he’d uttered since entering the room.

“A-Rulan, I-” Jiang Cheng couldn’t explain here and now why he’d joined their forces to put Wei Wuxian in a grave. Granted his body was never recovered, alongside Jiang Cheng’s suspicion of foul play on Lan Wangji’s part. But Jin Guangyao was correct, he had been one of the people to fight against Wei Wuxian’s army of undead corpses. But what only a few people were aware of was he specifically was responsible for pushing him off that cliff, that he was the one who watched as Wei Wuxian plummeted into darkness with a smile across his face. Although only the fragmented Wei Wuxian knew how he survived the fall from that cliff, after all it should have resulted in his death. The Yin Hufu was broken, the spirits had been enraged yet he hadn’t died.

“Young master Jin, what lies has sect leader Jiang poisoned you with? You don’t believe Wei Wuxian’s death was unjust do you?” Lan Sizhui’s fist began to curl inwards, he couldn’t say a word. He couldn’t betray the truth, although part of him was happy that despite the rumours of the cultivation world Jin Ling appeared to have been taught the truth. Every inch of his body was wanting to be beside Jin Ling, in order to comfort him and tell him what he knew was the truth. But he couldn’t… How could a child only ever so slightly older than Jin Ling know the truth of Wei Wuxian unless he had been a witness first hand, or been informed by others which would put the Lan sect in an even worse position.

“I- I- I don’t know…” Jin Ling stuttered out, he had believed Wei Wuxian to have been a smart man, a genius even. But he couldn’t deny the rumours and the scriptures not only in the Jin sect but the Jiang as well. How the boy who had everything strayed from the orthodox path in order to attain more cruel and twisted power beyond anyone should have.

“The man was a villain. He raised the dead and disturbed the spirits in order for them to do his bidding. He unburied the graves of hundreds just so he’d have more tools at his disposal. He mercilessly murdered hundreds. He defended the Wen remnants who were responsible for your grandparents' deaths, your grandparents who took him in when he had nothing.” Jin Ling wasn’t sure what to believe. His uncle Jiang had always told him tales of his late uncle Wei, how the man would spend his days frolicking in the lakes of Yunmeng. He’d shown him first hand the notes the man had left behind, the orphanage children he had saved when the war was over. The disciples he had trained, the lives he’d touched. But then there was the fact his mother had perished due to his blind foolishness, his father had died due to his uncontrollable abilities. Yes he knew the facts, he knew the blame did not lie solely with Wei Wuxian. But it felt so much better to blame one man than hundreds.

Unbeknownst to everyone Sizhui had begun to shake ever so slightly, hearing such gruelling facts about Wei Wuxian made him sick to his stomach. The smiling face he recalled attempting to grow radishes and lotus seeds in the Burial Mounds felt so false now. The laughter he shared with the others, although he couldn’t recall their faces, had it all been false? The mother he had known in the recent few years was a man of few and far memories, he didn’t know the true potential he held within his hands. He didn’t know of the cruelty he had committed.

“It was a war! What did you expect him to do? To play nicely, to ask Wen Ruhan put down his weapons? For the Wen’s to accept defeat peacefully? No chance! Each one of those Wen’s had been blood thirsty killers, it’s ingrained in their blood!” There was no warning, Sizhui turned aside and began to throw up. The images of what he’d witnessed in that dungeon passed through his mind, all the gruesome injuries the spirits had sustained. The woman and children he’d seen mutilated and mauled.

“A-Yuan!” Lan Wangji quickly called, placing a hand on his back as a form of comfort. Lan Sizhui could only merely smile weakly as he struggled to his feet, legs shaking. Lan Wangji rose to his feet as well, gently guiding his son towards the door in hopes of taking him to his room where he could rest and assure him that most of those were rumours. Although sadly some of the rumours were correct, but just as Jiang Cheng had rightly said they were in a constant state of war. Sometimes it felt like it never ended. First the war against the Wen’s, then the war against Wei Wuxian, then a war of politics and if Lan Wangji wasn’t careful it would soon devolve into-

“It seems that your heir to the Lan sect is weaker than most-”

SLAP

No one expected it, no one could have prepared themselves for the rage that Lan Wangji held at that moment. Lan Wangji had slapped Jin Guangyao with enough force the man went flying backwards, although the man was very light to begin with it was still shocking to witness. Although Lan Wangji was not satisfied by merely that alone. A crushing foot was placed atop of Jin Guangyao’s chest, pressure increasing until Lan Wangji deemed it enough.

“Say one more word about my son and it won’t be young master Jin’s safety you will have to worry about.” There was enough venom in Lan Wangji’s words to kill even a venomous snake.

“Wangji that is enough!” Lan Xichen hollered, he knew Jin Guangyao had insulted Sizhui but he didn’t expect this kind of a reaction. He was lucky that their uncle was still alive if insulting Sizhui led to this extreme of a reaction.

“As brother says.” With a final press against his foot did Lan Wangji walk away from the situation, he was sure he just made a very big enemy but he didn’t care. He would not stand for both his soulmate and son to be insulted in the same span of time.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

“Lian-Jie, where is A-Die?” Lan Sizhui questioned, he’d been resting in the Chunshi for well over an hour by this point he’d resorted to practising his sword flying technique in the small courtyard outside his house. Although he had failed to complete the manoeuvre he wished to achieve, although the bamboo was an effective obstacle it left enough of a mark if it crashed into.

“He’s with your uncle and the elders.” Zhu Lian calmly replied as she sipped at a cup of tea, she had prepared one for Sizhui as well but it remained untouched.

“Why does he have to meet with the elders?” Lan Sizhui continued to attempt his manoeuvre as he spoke, he never liked the elders being near his father. After all they were the ones who hurt him all those years ago, it mattered not of the time that passed. Sizhui would always resent them.

“To receive punishment.” An unmistakable silence reigned over the pair, it was only broken by Sizhui’s rapid footsteps approaching. Zhu Lian only opened her eyes when her robes had been grasped.

“Punishment! What punishment! Why is he being punished!” Zhu Lian cared not for Sizhui's attitude towards her but grasped his wrist to loosen his hold and answered calmly.

“For his assault towards the representative of the Jin sect.” 

“No. No. No. No! No! No! NO! NO! NO!” Sizhui began to shake his head in denial, his voice reaching volumes which was unbecoming of him, stumbling backwards he knocked the small table where the two cups of tea sat. Zhu Lian’s tea was knocked over whilst Sizhui’s was only merely shaken before becoming stable once more. Then before Zhu Lian could stop the boy he fled, running in the direction of where all the punishments took place.

“Sizhui, come back!” Zhu Lian began to holler as she gave chase to the boy. Sadly Sizhui was quicker and younger than she was. Sizhui wasn’t willing to stop, he wasn’t willing to wait. Lan Wangji had only insulted the man on the account of him insulting Wei Wuxian and Lan Sizhui, he didn’t deserve to be punished for merely defending what was right.

Yet despite believing he would be able to take seeing his father in such a feeble and defenceless state he still shook at the sight. The whip being stained with blood, the crimson liquid oozing onto the floor as Lan Wangji sat hunched over. The scars that had once healed now reopened, Sizhui wasn’t even sure they would heal this time. He watched as his uncle merely stood aside, face turned away as such a despicable act was performed against his own flesh and blood. Against the man he considered a brother who he would protect to the ends of the world yet wouldn’t protect against his own people, against his own unforgiving laws.

“Enough!” Sizhui hollered, attempting to run up to his father. Yet he was stopped by Zhu Lian who had managed to catch up and wrapped her arms around him in order to stop him causing more problems than he already had. “What are you doing!” Sizhui squirmed to try and escape from her grasp, but it was tight and unmoving.

“Stopping you from causing more problems.” She whispered into his ear, the elders were all glaring at him due to his interruption. Lan Wangji had frozen, he didn’t want his son to see him in such a state. Yes, he had broken the rules. Yes, he was receiving a justified punishment. But nowhere in that meant Sizhui had to bear witness to it.

“Zhu Lian!” Lan Wangji shouted, the elders felt even more rage towards the man at this point. Lan Wangji knew he would receive even more lashes for this, but he didn’t care. Sizhui had to get out of there. It was then he realised that this wasn’t just for him lashing out at Jin Guangyao, this was a repayment for the past fifteen years. For bringing in Lan Yuan when he’d been a mere toddler, for bringing Zhu Lian into the Lan sect, for harbouring Wei Wuxian who despite being nothing more than a common man to everyone still brought problems, for having Sizhui as the sect heir…

“Get him out of here!” Locking eyes with Lan Wangji, Zhu Lian understood instantly, she didn’t mean just get him away from Lan Wangji. Get him away from everything, from everyone who dared cause harm to him.

“A-Die, no!” Lan Sizhui cried, he tried to extend a hand to reach him yet it was futile. “Uncle! Help him!” The elders turned to face Lan Xichen, the man briefly looked at Sizhui, not a spec of remorse within his eyes.

“No. I’m afraid Wangji must pay for his crimes. That includes any future ones he could commit.” It was as if Lan Sizhui didn’t even know the man anymore, his uncle who he’d looked up to. Who he wished to be when he became sect leader, the man who he believed was the epitome of remorse and kindness. Was allowing someone innocent to suffer. “Wangji shall return to seclusion, although I believe it would be best if he remained there indefinitely.” Tears began to run down Sizhui’s cheeks. He couldn’t believe it, he wouldn’t believe it.

“My father did nothing wrong! Would you rather standby and accept insults from people who believe we are beneath them?” He’d listened to enough of Jin Ling’s rants to know how the people of the Jin sect looked at people, how they believed they were the priority.

“Are you to say we of the Jin sect think ourselves higher than others?” Jin Guangyao appeared from behind Lan Xichen, he wasn’t sure how he hadn’t noticed him earlier but anger only continued to converse through his veins.

“Of course you do! Even your disciples believe themselves to be better!” Jin Guangyao had a smile across his lips by this point, but Sizhui failed to notice with his anger.

“You say every Jin acts this way?”

“Of course! You're all spoiled! You care for nobody but yourselves!” In his anger Sizhui failed to notice the figure that was Jin Ling appear from behind Jin Guangyao. The Jiang sect leader was nowhere to be seen so Sizhui had assumed the boy had left with his uncle.

“Is that what you believe?” Jin Ling began to call, he couldn’t believe the one he had begun to trust with his heart truly thought of him in this way.

“Jin Ling I-”

“Zhu Lian, NOW!” Lan Wangji practically yelled, Lan Sizhui had never once heard his father shout in this manner before. But the sound alone scared him, it was one of both anger and desperation. Without another word Zhu Lian embedded spiritual energy into her fingers, flicking them against Sizhui’s forehead. The boy was out cold.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

“I’m next in line!” Lan Jingyi hollered without remorse, he was so confused as to what had happened in the span of two hours. He’d awaited outside the office with Zizhen whilst Sizhui had been inside, various hollers were heard although the pair failed to listen to anything specific as they were lost in conversation. It was only when the door slid open to reveal a pale looking Sizhui did concern begin, what was worse was the scene of Lan Wangji’s assault on Jin Guangyao had been witnessed by them as well. Yet the pair had remained hidden, not wishing to be held accountable as witnesses to the events. Then not only had in the next hour had he lost Zizhen who was dragged away by Jin sect disciples he lost Sizhui who had been kidnapped by Zhu Lian apparently! On top of all that the only man he could possibly get an answer from was in seclusion. Yet now Lan Xichen had appeared to inform him he was next in line to inherit the title of sect leader of the Lan clan.

“Lan Jingyi, I will tell you one final time. You have the blood ties to the title of sect leader, with Lan Sizhui’s disappearance you as his second cousin are set to inherit the mantle.” Jingyi couldn’t comprehend it even after being informed twice.

“W-Why was I never made aware of this?” Lan Xichen sighed, he was not in the mood to be dealing with more difficult children.

“There was never a need. And your mother wished her ties to be left forgotten in the pages of history. Although with how the situation is, that is no longer possible.” Jingyi began to scramble for words, he couldn’t accept this. It would be taking away the precious years of hard work Sizhui had built up.

“I can’t! This belongs to Sizhui, he could still come back. It’s rightfully his!” Lan Xichen slammed his fist down on the table, no longer being able to hold back his emotions from the already strained day he had.

“No it doesn’t! My brother no longer holds the title of a main family member! Sizhui doesn’t even have direct blood ties to the title! Sizhui will never come back!” With a sweep of his sleeve Lan Xichen exited the room, pausing for a second at the entrance he spoke a final word before disappearing. “Report at my office first thing tomorrow. All your classes are cancelled in the future.”

“Sizhui…” Jingyi muttered in the silent room which was once Sizhui’s. “What happened...”

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

“Hey,” A voice echoed in Sizhui’s mind, it was distant yet a recognisable woman’s voice. “Hey, wake up.” Scrambling to grasp hold of his consciousness Sizhui slowly opened his eyes taking in the sights that was the river they were traversing on. They were in a small boat, it had a shelter at the back which he’d been under. It was then he realised that it was Zhu Lian trying to revive him from the world of slumber. Rage quickly taking hold of him Sizhui leapt towards the woman, grasping hold of her robes and pinning her to the deck.

“Take me back!” Zhu Lian merely laid back and accepted Lan Sizhui’s hollers, she couldn’t even begin to fathom what was racing through his mind right now. Not after what he’d just witnessed. “My father needs me! My mother is there! My best friend is there!” Tears began to ebb from the corners of his eyes, he’d lost too many people in this life. He couldn’t take losing more.

“I will not. I do not regret following instructions.” His hands trembling, Sizhui could do nothing more but sob and cry. He’d lost everyone. His mother was in an irreversible coma, his father trapped within the walls of the Lan sect, his uncle a backstabbing traitor, the one he loved believed him to be a two faced liar. After enough time passed Lan Sizhui allowed Zhu Lian to sit upright, gently removing Sizhui’s hands from her robes and guiding him under the canopy where nobody could see him once more.

“Here,” Zhu Lian reached into her qiankun pouch and retrieved a set of clothes, they appeared to be clothes of mediocre people. Not of a prestigious clan. “Put these on.”

“Why?” Sizhui questioned, he couldn’t just abandon his Lan sect uniform. It was proof he still belonged, or he at least hoped so.

“I doubt the people of Yunmeng would hire a mother and son from the Lan sect, if we look like new people of the town were more likely to do well.” Rummaging around in her qiankun pouch once more Zhu Lian pulled forth a small portion of bread, it wasn’t the greatest but it sustained travel so she wouldn’t complain.

“Wait, what! Why are we heading to Yunmeng? Shouldn’t we be heading back home!” Sizhui began to holler, it was thankful the man Zhu Lian had paid wasn’t one to chatter although a blind man couldn’t exactly report people he couldn’t see.

“We don’t have a home to return to!” Zhu Lian snapped, she didn’t know how Lan Wangji had the patience to raise a boy as stubborn as this. “By now Lan Wangji is sealed away in seclusion and has been stripped of any ranks within the Lan sect. Our best bet is to head to Yunmeng, hopefully my family will recognise me and help us.” This caught Sizhui’s attention, as far as he was aware Zhu Lian was a woman the Lan sect had rescued and adopted into the sect.

“You have a family?” He very quickly received a forceful flick to the forehead although no spiritual energy was infused this time.

“I come from somewhere, don’t I?” Sizhui rubbed at his forehead as he nodded, a pout now displayed on his face.

“I may not have any memories, but I have blurry visions. Something your father and uncle are unaware of.” Sizhui continued to nurse his forehead as Zhu Lian continued to speak. “I had a brother, no, two brothers. They were both younger than me, loved playing in the waters. The older of the two loved bringing me lotus flowers and lotus pods ever since he was little. They were disciples of the Jiang sect, I’m sure of it. After all, they were always dressed in those purple robes.” Despite having only blurry visions in her mind it was interesting for Sizhui to listen to all she recalled, he now knew she really did understand him. How she held memories which remained locked away behind a barrier only god knows how to unlock. “They would always squabble, only agreeing if it benefited me. Although I knew they cared for one another. I wonder if they still remember me?” Realising that this was something she’d wanted to know for a long time did Sizhui shut up, Zhu Lian had been hidden away in the Lan sect for fifteen years. Never knowing if she had any living family elsewhere in the world.

“I’m sure they do.” Sizhui began to mutter, Zhu Lian turned her head slightly to face the boy, her mind now focused on the present over an unattainable past. With a sad smile Sizhui began to reach up and untie his forehead ribbon, remembering the last time someone had untied it had been Jin Ling.

“If I’m to be your son, I believe my name is Zhu Yuan correct?”

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

“My miss Zhu, your son is an incredible worker. He can work the entire field all day without rest, you must be proud.” An old farmer boasted to her, Zhu Lian had been situated in a nearby boat. Cutting off the diseased and damaged stems of lotus pods, it was what she’d been taught to do at the beginning although less laborious than she had initially wanted, the pay for such a tedious job wasn’t bad.

“He’s a strong, independent child. Must have gotten it from his father.” Despite it having been two years the pair had made a comfortable living for themselves, purchasing a small home on the outskirts of the main city of Yunmeng the pair continuously worked the fields in the day, although once a week Zhu Lian took Yuan night hunting. The Jiang sect hadn’t cared about the sudden decrease in ghouls in the area, well not to Zhu Lian’s knowledge at least.

“Your son is eighteen now if I’m not wrong?” Zhu Lian nodded her head in agreement, still scouring for any other roots to be removed.

“Don’t you think it's time he started looking for a wife?” Distracted by the old man’s words, Zhu Lian’s hands slipped, resulting in the palm of her hand being the one to be cut instead of the stem. Without so much as flinching Zhu Lian hid her hand away in her already water soaked sleeves, turning to the man with a soft smile across her lips.

“Perhaps, maybe you have someone in mind for him?” Zhu Lian had no intention of marrying Yuan off to some woman of Yunmeng, after all despite no longer being of the Lan sect he still followed certain traditions as they did. Specifically the case of where Lan’s only loved once, the young master Jin had already stolen his heart those years ago. Changing that was something impossible.

“There are many young women within the Jiang sect, perhaps one of them will take a shine to your son?” Zhu Lian merely nodded in agreement, she couldn’t argue against the old man after all this was his field and his money they were taking as payment.

“Yuan!” Zhu Lian hollered, waving her uninjured hand in order to gather his attention. “Let's head home for the day!” With a quick nod of his head Yuan began to paddle his way over to his supposed mother. Offering her a hand, Zhu Lian clambered her way into Sizhui’s boat, leaving the discarded stems for the old man to sort. After various minutes filled with silence aside from Sizhui’s paddling, the boy spoke.

“I won’t marry.” Zhu Lian merely nodded her head in understanding as she closed her eyes.

“I know.”

“No one would marry a guy who’s been a part of two Sects and abandoned by both.”

“I know.”

“I mean no woman would want a scarred husband.”

“I know.”

“Then why would you agree to such an idea!” Yuan had failed to continue paddling at this point, the boat merely drifting along the currents as he settled down across from Zhu Lian.

“I didn’t agree to anything. I merely continued the conversation along. You really think I’d try to marry you off?” Yuan looked ashamed of himself for thinking such a thing, of course Zhu Lian wouldn’t marry him off. For one she didn’t have the right.

“No… Only A-Die or A-Niang can do that…” Zhu Lian tousled his bangs from beneath his bamboo hat, she couldn’t mess with his hair after all.

“I promise that I may act as your mother but I will never take that position away from your true mother.” With a smile returned to his face Yuan began to continue to paddle his way back towards their small abode, completely oblivious to someone watching them from afar under the effects of a talisman.

·· ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

“Yuan, come eat.” Zhu Lian called, the small fire had been cooking lotus rib soup for a while now, just simmering to perfection as she wanted. Despite having very rarely cooked in the Cloud Recesses Yuan had to admit her cooking could be compared to no one. With the soup ladled into two bowls the pair resided at the small table, cups containing fresh, clean water were beside the centre.

“Lian-Jie, did you cook for me when I was little?” Yuan questioned, he hadn’t begun his meal yet. Habits of the Lan sect were still embedded in the pair of them, refusing to speak at meal times.

“No, not that I recall. I fed you medicine once or twice but aside from that nothing. Why do you ask?” The pair were waiting for the freshly cooked soup to cool down slightly.

“When I ate this soup for the first time it reminded me of something I tried when I was little. Someone had given it to me and I assumed it was you.” Beginning to dig into the soup the answer to Yuan’s memory remained unanswered, after all only Wen Ning and Wei Wuxian had known that it was Jiang Yanli’s soup Wen Yuan had tried all those years ago. Once their meal was complete the pair began to clean, Yuan began to clear the dishes whilst Zhu Lian settled herself atop of her bed within the corner of the room. After all the building they housed only contained one additional room to the dual kitchen and living space, upon their arrival two years ago Zhu Lian had demanded Yuan take the actual bedroom. Under the instruction of he was the child and should therefore receive the comforts, even though Yuan hadn’t agreed with her reasoning he had known better than to argue with Zhu Lian.

“Yuan,” Zhu Lian began as she looked out the window, watching as the moon danced perfectly in the sky. “We need to head to Lotus Pier in the morning.” The sound of water sloshing around stilled, Yuan hated going to Lotus Pier. It was a perfect reminder of the two people he missed most.

“May I ask why?” The sounds of washing continued as Yuan attempted to sound somewhat happy about the idea.

“For one, I need to see a doctor.” Yuan whipped around instantly, taking note of Zhu Lian’s appearance; it was only when he noticed her nursing her hand that he realised she was injured.

“What happened?” He quickly abandoned the washing to examine Zhu Lian’s hand, it appeared to be a small cut but the skin surrounding it was beginning to turn a shade akin to seaweed.

“Merely cut myself, that old man talking about your marriage caught me off-guard and my hand slipped. We also need to purchase some more cleaning products, unless you wish for Bichen to rust?” Sizhui turned to look at the small stand in which Bichen rested, upon their escape two years ago Zhu Lian had taken Bichen as a reminder for Yuan. Alongside a picture of his parents, they were individual portraits, one in which had belonged to Lan Wangji himself. But Zhu Lian had known that any possessions of Lan Wangji’s would have been hidden away by Lan Xichen the moment the man was placed in seclusion, anything of Wei Wuxian’s would have been destroyed. Afterall Lan Xichen never did have a positive mindset when it came to the man, the only good thing that had come from Wei Wuxian had been Yuan although even that had changed over the years.

“Fine. We will go, but we leave as soon as we are done. Okay?” Zhu Lian merely nodded her head in understanding, she wasn’t too fond of sticking around the town anyway. People always appeared to watch her as she traversed through the town, alongside a cold feeling developing in her chest whenever she looked towards the gates of the Jiang sect.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

“It’s merely the fluid from a water ghoul infecting the wound. It’s nothing serious, drink this medication and keep it wrapped and it will absolve itself within a few days.” The doctor informed the pair, Yuan sighed in relief. If it had been anything more serious he wasn’t sure how they’d afford to pay the medical bill, ever since Yuan had broken his leg one night hunt and receiving a large bill from the doctor in turn the pair had learned injuries must remain at a minimum.

“Thank you, I will do just that.” Paying the man and leaving the office the pair returned to the bustling streets of Lotus Pier.

“That man is a thief.” Yuan complained looking at the concoction Zhu Lian had been handed. “If we’d gone elsewhere I’m sure we could have gotten it cheaper.” Zhu Lian elbowed Yuan in the gut for his comment.

“Yeah a doctor who probably won’t spare people like us a glance. That man may charge us more but at least his medications work.” Yuan couldn’t fault the man on that point, after all despite the illnesses Yuan had suffered from injuries through night hunts he’d remained alive.

“Right, now where to get linseed oil.” Zhu Lian clasped her hands together, glancing over the stalls in search of her next item. Yuan meagrely trailed behind her, knowing Zhu Lian would haggle over the price with the merchant.

“I told you before, I will not look at their offers of a bride.” The offended voice of a boy echoed throughout the market, taking interest in the conversation over the usual market hollers Yuan began to listen in.

“Come on, half of them don’t look half bad. Why not just take a look Rulan?” The mention of that name grabbed Yuan’s full attention, grasping Zhu Lian’s forearm to halt her Yuan began to glance through the crowd looking for one in particular. It was only when he looked towards an open restaurant did he notice the two individuals dressed in the purple robes of the Yunmeng sect. The pair had various cups already overturned, empty from whatever they’d been drinking.

“If you like them so much, you marry them.” Rulan snapped back at his peer, if Yuan had to take a guess it was none other than Ouyang Zizhen he was situated next to. It was only as he got closer did he realise he was correct. Despite it having been only two years Jin Rulan had grown into a fitting seventeen year old, his jaw slowly becoming more fitting of a young master over that of a maiden. Although his body's shape didn’t bless him with that, his hips had remained small whilst his legs were slim and carefully constructed as they lay crossed over one another.

“Me? Marry a girl? You must be joking!” Zizhen exclaimed, grasping at his sleeve as he revealed a beautiful silver bracelet entwined with threads of pale blue. “Did you forget about my fiancé?” Yuan’s jaw was dropped, how in two years did Zizhen manage to acquire not only a lover but have them agree to be engaged to him!

“How could I forget about him, he never shuts up about the amount of work he has to deal with. I swear if Jingyi complains one more time that being an heir is hard work I will kill him myself, he won’t have to worry about Zewu-Jun wanting to punish him.” Jingyi was heir to the Lan sect? Yuan hadn’t heard news of this! Although the small space they lived in didn’t really bother themselves with the gossip of the cultivation world, it was only if the Jiang sect leader decreed a change to their work was the mention of a sect spoken.

“Can you blame him? He had the title dumped on him when Sizhui was kidnapped.”

“Don’t.” Jin Rulan snapped, there was an unknown coldness in his voice. “Don’t mention that name.” Standing up Jin Rulan pushed his seat with so much force that it toppled over.

“We should be getting back. Uncle still needs my help preparing for the conference, we have a special guest appearance this year. We cannot afford anything less than our best.” With that the pair disappeared into the crowd, their purple hues becoming nothing but blurs against the commotion that was the street.

“Lian-Jie,” Yuan began, his eyes not tearing away from the direction the pair had disappeared to. Zhu Lian had been pulling at the itchy bandage at her wrist instead of listening to the pair at the table. “We need to attend that conference.”

“Are you crazy!” Zhu Lian hollered, the people in the street had already been staring at her yet this small outburst made it even worse.

“Just a little, but you heard them. They are hosting a conference here in Lotus Pier, this would be the perfect opportunity to expose the Lan sect.” Zhu Lian dragged Yuan towards a darkened alleyway, there had been two small homeless children but seeing the anger across Zhu Lian’s face was enough to make them scamper away.

“You really want to throw away the life we’ve built for ourselves?” Zhu Lian angrily declared as she crossed her arms.

“What life, Lian-Jie, we are some common farmers with no name to ourselves. A-Die and A-Niang are still trapped within the Lan sect, you’d rather us live out our lives with everyone presuming we’re dead or missing?” Yuan had been contemplating this for years, he wasn’t content with this life. He lived to be amongst his family, to be a cultivator. That was what he wanted to be, a lotus farmer came nowhere near.

“Yes! When your father saved me I made a promise that one day I would return his kindness in equal measure. Protecting you, his only son is the only way I can ensure that promise. If we attend this conference there is no guarantee the Lan sect will not strike you down on sight.” Yuan didn’t care for that, he was willing to die in trying to regain what he’d lost rather than suffer a miserable life mourning what he had lost.

“I still want to try.” Zhu Lian groaned as she began to traipse around in a circle, she knew Yuan was right. It would be their best interest to try and resolve this, but truly at what cost would it come at?

In the following days they would devise a plan, using the funds they had gradually been saving up over the years they would arrange for robes to be created for them. Not being able to part with the blue tones he’d worn throughout his life, Zhu Lian instructed the seamstress to use tones of dark blues as accents to hers and Yuan’s robes. The main basis of the robes had been a tone of dark grey. Zhu Lian had ordered a veil to be constructed for her, she was unsure as to why in Yunmeng her face attracted unwanted attention, but the veil would ensure she was less recognisable. In the end when Yuan had dressed himself in the entire set his inner robe was a dark blue, almost similar to that of the night sky whilst the outer robe was that of a charcoal grey, the layer in between the two was a black one. Lining the edges was a motif that appeared to mimic rolling clouds yet also combine the incessant beauty of the rolling tide. As Yuan spun around in his stunning new robes Zhu Lian seemed to feel a faint memory rolling across her vision, the sight of someone wearing robes similar yet different to the ones Yuan wore. Watching as those said robes swayed in time with the movements of the person. It was as Zhu Lian was beginning to restyle Yuan’s hair into a more presentable style fit with braids which Yuan himself had requested, it was more pleasing to the eye than the disaster that he wore due to working in the fields did Zhu Lian utter a few words.

“Yuan. I think I know what surname we should use.”

Chapter Text

“Thank you for saving our disciples,” The leader of the group of Jiang disciples praised as she bowed in thanks. Zhu Lian and Yuan had rescued the group from a vicious lot of water ghouls, granted they had angered the water ghouls to such a state in order for them to rescue the disciples. But they hadn’t been so dangerous as to be uncontrollable by a decent cultivator, it just so happened the disciples sent to deal with these water ghouls had been unskilled. “My name is Jiang Xiang, or better known as the head disciple of the Yunmeng Jiang sect. May I know our saviour's names?” Jiang Xiang was indeed the head disciple of the Jiang sect however over recent years she had begun to become complacent, resulting in her sword skills becoming unrefined.

“We are merely travelling cultivators. My name is Wei Lian, my nephew is Wei Yuan.” These were the names the pair had constructed for themselves, knowing the name carried so much for Yuan she believed this would be the perfect name for him if he wished to reunite with his family. If anyone was to question their relationships to Wei Wuxian they would merely state they were unaware of such a person on account of being disciples of an unnamed master who better preferred to be kept separate from the cultivation world.

“Oh, I must ask if you are aware of a man named Wei Wuxian?” The surrounding disciples appeared to freeze at the mention of the man, they had been raised to respect the name of Wei Wuxian yet they were aware of the hatred their shijie held towards the man.

“I’m afraid not, my master has kept the cultivation world affairs away from us. If you’d please indulge us with such information we’d be much obliged.” Bowing in respect towards Jiang Xiang Zhu Lian had already imbedded a positive appearance for the woman.

“If madame Wei and Gongzi Wei would like to join us I would happily inform you both.” Zhu Lian nodded in agreement, their plan had already been put into motion.

“Although please, call my lady Wei. Madame Wei was someone else.” Not questioning the matter further Jiang Xiang allowed the pair to join the small group in their task of eliminating the water ghouls. It wasn’t until the late hours of the evening that everyone was prepared to return.

“May I ask where Lady and Gongzi Wei will be residing tonight?” Jiang Xiang prompted as the group travelled on boats towards Lotus Pier.

“Perhaps an inn, or maybe a night under the stars.” Jiang Xiang was shocked, she couldn’t even consider the idea of sleeping under the stars without a decent tent or a provided bed for her to rest upon. However, the distant sound of thunder in the distance appeared to shock everyone. The disciples feared not for the rain, however Jiang Xiang quickly hid herself under the canopy her boat provided for her, pushing aside a disciple who had been resting inside. The young boy had been nursing a sprained arm on the account of a water ghoul retching his sword away from him. Feeling pity for the small child, Yuan rose from his seat in order to offer a hand to move the boy to his feet. Once settling the boy in his prior seat did the young Jiang disciple reject the offer.

“Gongzi, I cannot take your seat. Rain is to approach soon.” With a simple smile and shake of his head Yuan raised his hand with a faint blue appearing at the tips of his fingers. It was only as the rain began to pour over his head a few seconds later that the disciple realised Yuan didn’t require an umbrella, on the account of being able to form his own barrier against the rain.

“My, what a smart nephew you have. May I ask where he learned such a technique?” Jiang Xiang questioned Zhu Lian, the latter had already grown tired of indulging the second in all the intruding questions.

“His father.” It was obvious she wasn’t to elaborate further so Jiang Xiang kept any further questions to herself to Zhu Lian’s relief.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

“Qin Xiang, you have returned early.” The Jiang sect leader was awaiting them at the gates to Lotus Pier, paper oil umbrella in hand as he watched the somehow only partially drenched disciples bow and run to their rooms on the account of the late evening.

“Yes, I had some help. May I introduce Lady Wei and Gongzi Wei, they are roaming cultivators.” Despite hearing the name Wei Jiang Cheng failed to pay attention, he was slightly fixated on the veil wearing woman. She had yet to speak yet her eyes appeared to speak to Jiang Cheng, almost like a voice he feared he had long lost.

“Sect leader Jiang?” Qin Xiang questioned, noticing she’d already lost the interest of the man before her.

“Sect leader Jiang,” Yuan stepped forward offering a bow in respect, instantly capturing the man's attention. “Jiang Xiang has so kindly offered us transport here in thanks for our assistance, we must be on our way to find a place for the night.” With another bow Yuan took hold of Zhu Lian’s hand and began to make their way into the darkness which was Lotus Pier.

“Wait.” Jiang Cheng’s voice echoed over the thudding of the rain, taking note of how the boy and a couple others remained dry despite having traversed through the rain. As well as how the pair now stood in the pouring rain yet remained dry despite no umbrella.

“How are you doing that?” Jiang Cheng had only seen such a thing accomplished by two people in his life, although both times it worked only temporarily in light rain and not heavy storms such as this.

“This?” Yuan prompted as he pointed above himself, a seal appeared above his head woven in an intricate pattern with various symbols with small images which resembled clouds interwoven with the petals of a flower. “My father taught me.” Yuan wasn’t lying, in all the time he spent alongside Wei Wuxian the man had taught him various little incantations to make simple tasks easier for himself or small little talismans alike. One of these incantations had been to create a barrier against rain, he could improve it further by making it resist the wind created by the rain but even Yuan knew that would be showing off too much of his capabilities.

“My apologies, my nephew speaks few words. I hope you will forgive his rudeness.” With a quick bow Zhu Lian had already begun to build their elaborate web of lies. With Yuan’s voice changing little over the years, having him speak as minimally as possible was ideal in constructing a new identity, after all there was only so much styling oneself could disguise.

“Qin Xiang!” Jiang Cheng then snapped back to his grumpy self instead of being mesmerised by the young boy's abilities. “What have I said of calling yourself a Jiang, you do not have the right to the name. Also why have you not treated these people to rest in our home? Have they not helped you in a task which I assigned to you specifically? My apologies Lady Wei and Gongzi Wei, we the Jiang sect would be honoured to house you tonight. That is if you will allow us?” Jiang Cheng knew when a debt was to be replayed, alongside knowing that when people as intriguing as this appeared at his doorstep to not send them away.

“Thank you sect leader Jiang, we would much appreciate the hospitality.” Bowing in turn to one another Jiang Cheng began to guide the pair to their guest houses, arranging for baths to be brought to their rooms and that dinner would be served within two hours in the main hall Jiang Cheng bid them farewell. It was only when he left the vicinity of the guest rooms that Qin Xiang made a reappearance to try and please the sect leader.

“Sect leader Jiang, I know I messed up. But the water ghouls were stronger than expected and-” Jiang Cheng raised a hand silencing the woman’s continuous excuses. He was aware of her continued laidback attitude, not only had his nephew reported it but the next head disciple had brought it to his attention, although as time passed Jiang Cheng feared the next head disciple would inherit the title of the Jiang sect due to the empty position of an heir.

“I care not for your excuses. Please inform A-Rulan of our guests and to have him ready for dinner.” With a simple sweep of his sleeve Jiang Cheng was gone, if Qin Xiang had to take a guess he was either in his office or the Jiang family shrine. Qin Xiang was furious, she felt like she was always infuriating the Jiang sect leader whether it be something simple as bumping into the Sect leader or a matter worse such as misinforming the disciples or having someone else carry out her work like today. It was usually the same response, either silent anger or the same sentence. 

‘The previous head disciple would have gotten it right.’

It infuriated Qin Xiang that a dead man who had betrayed the cultivation world still received more respect from the Jiang sect leader than she did. To top it off, she hadn’t come even close to her initial goal when arriving here. To become close with the Jiang sect leader in order to marry him and have more power than she could ever acquire whilst being in Lanling. Although the Jin heir hadn’t been making any of her plans run smoothly either, it appeared the boy held a close relationship with the Jiang. Making all of her advances worthless as Jin Ling had a habit of disposing of any gifts she’d leave for the Jiang or always interfere between the pair when he deemed fit. Jin Ling’s attitude had worsened over the last two years to Qin Xiang’s annoyance yet she still refused to give up. Arriving outside Jin Ling’s room, Qin Xiang quickly knocked.

“Young master Jin,” She received not a sound in response, knocking again Qin Xiang began to be vexed. Finally slamming her fist against the door in her anger was when Jin Ling made his appearance, dressed in the purple robes of the Jiang sect, his high ponytail held in place by a simple hair pin whilst braids also lead along the sides of his head. His sword Suihua sat at his waist, if he was to stand side by side with Jiang Cheng in his youth some might have even mistaken them for brothers although the essence that was Jin Zixuan managed to peak through at various parts of him.

“Can I help you?” He began to question, Qin Xiang still had her fist laid against the door with all her knocking. Realising how foolish she looked she quickly bowed, despite hating the boy she still had to serve him. They had a mutual understanding in a way, they both hated one another yet compromised to everyone’s relief.

“Sect leader Jiang requests your attendance at dinner. I hope young master Jin-“ Jin Ling kicked his bedroom door open despite Qin Xiang being right in front of it.

“My name is Jiang Rulan whilst in Yunmeng, I’ll arrive at dinner later. Good day.” With a quick slam of his doors Jin Ling disappeared into his room, Qin Xiang scoffed at his actions. She always did belief his bratty attitude was inherited, especially when he claimed to be a Jiang.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

“We thank sect leader Jiang for having us.” Zhu Lian bowed in respect just as Yuan did before settling in their seats. Jiang Cheng sat at the head of the hall whilst the other pair were situated on the right hand side of the hall. There remained an empty seat beside Jiang Cheng.

“Qin Xiang.” Jiang Cheng called, the woman quickly scampered over to the man’s side.

“Where is he?” Qin Xiang could only mutter as she looked to the empty seat, she’d informed Jin Ling of dinner plans although the slip up of his name could have been enough to put him off attending dinner all together.

“I am unsure, I shall go fetch him.” It was as she turned to leave that the main hall's doors burst open, it was Jin Ling although he was accompanied by another.

“Ah Zizhen, you finally agreed to my invitation?” Jiang Cheng spoke, hearing the name of a friend of which felt like a lifetime ago shocked Yuan slightly but not enough to break his carefully constructed face of Wei Yuan who didn’t dare smile whereas Lan Sizhui would. It was shocking the difference he could give, the ice coldness was almost identical to Hanguan-Jun.

“Yes, sect leader,” Zizhen bowed in respect to the man, he took note of the singular seat available and the guests present. Jiang Cheng took note of this and turned to Qin Xiang again.

“Have another seat prepared for Zizhen.” With that the woman scampered off to do as she’d been instructed.

“Please allow me to introduce Lady Wei and Gongzi Wei, they are travelling cultivators who assisted us recently.” The boy of boys bowed to the already seated, although Jin Ling’s face betrayed a sour look.

“Lady Wei, Gongzi Wei. Let me introduce you to my nephew Jiang Rulan and the upcoming head disciple Jiang Zizhen.” Now that was news to Yuan, the boy who feared to betray his family of the past had cut ties and taken upon a new surname. And Rulan had abandoned his ties to the Jin sect!

The pair both bowed in respect, it was by this time that Qin Xiang had prepared a table beside the vacant seat. Having everyone seated food began to be brought out. It was traditional Yunmeng food with various spices applied, despite living in Yunmeng for sometime Yuan still struggled to handle some of the spices. Although Zhu Lian managed to stomach them quite easily, as if second nature to her. Zizhen struggled slightly as well, although not as badly as Yuan. Whilst Jin Ling had been eating he began to cough, quickly downing a glass of water. 

“What rubbish have they been feeding you in Lanling? You can’t even eat a mildly spiced meal.” With a slight glare in his eye and downing another cup of water Jin Ling began to speak.

“I think my tolerance has decreased, must mean I need to spend more time at home.” Despite having a slight glare to his eyes, a smile still managed to slip across Jiang Cheng’s lips.

“Sect leader Jiang,” Zizhen began to speak, placing his chopsticks aside as he’d finished his portion of food, he’d always been a quick eater although it was rather he had to eat quick in Lanling or not eat at all. “May I make a request?” Jiang Cheng raised an eyebrow in questioning. It was well known he treated the boy well, he had even been declared as the next head disciple within Yunmeng. Yet for Zizhen to make a request to the Jiang sect leader was a shock to everyone, he would usually be the one being made to carry out others requests. “Due to the many sect leaders arriving in the morning the disciples will be spread thin, correct?” Jiang Cheng nodded his head in agreement, he had placed his utensils aside whilst sipping at his cup of tea.

“Please entrust me as the leader of security for the conference.” This was a large responsibility, it even shocked Jin Ling who struggled to hold down his drink at such a request. Yuan remained still faced despite being intrigued at this new information, meanwhile Zhu Lian began to use her words to craft her own invitation to such an event.

“I’m sorry for interrupting, but may I ask what is to be occurring tomorrow?” Zizhen turned to look at Jin Ling, the younger taking another sip from his drink yet his gaze not moving from Wei Gongzi. It was almost like he could spot something the others couldn’t.

“There is a conference to occur between the four major sects and various smaller clans. Lady Wei and Gongzi Wei are welcome to join as guests of the Yunmeng Jiang sect.” Jiang Cheng was hoping to curry favour with the strange pair, due to the conference he would be unavailable to attend to their needs but having them attend the conference would make it a lot easier for him to keep an eye on them.

“If sect leader Jiang has offered then how could we turn down such a gracious offer.” Zhu Lian bowed in respect, Yuan doing the same in turn yet he couldn’t shake the fierce gaze from Jin Ling’s table.

“It is late, my nephew and I shall rest for the night. Thank you again for your hospitality, sect leader Jiang.” With a final bow the two dark robed cultivators disappeared out of the draped purple halls of Lotus Pier.

“A-Rulan,” The boy's gaze had been locked on the now closed doors, even as his uncle called he remained transfixed. “Please keep an eye on the young boy, he has intriguing knowledge.” With a curt nod of his head Jin Ling left the hall without another word, Zizhen now had to contend with an angered Qin Xiang and curious sect leader alone. The boy was sure this might be his last foolish decision, yet as the bracelet on his wrist brushed past his skin he was reminded that one of the best moments of his life had been a foolish decision originally.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

“Do you think he suspected anything?” Zhu Lian questioned as she began to discard her outer robes alongside the cloth which had been situated across her face for far longer than she had liked.

“Sect leader Jiang? No. Zizhen? Definitely not. But Jin Ling? He surely suspects something. Although Sect leader Jiang has developed an intrigue in us, especially when I used A-Niang’s incantation.” Zhu Lian nodded her head in understanding, she frowned slightly when she noticed Yuan didn’t appear as relaxed as she was. Zhu Lian was on guard still that was for sure, but even her body had a slight fluidity and calmness, Yuan looked poised and ready to strike at a moment's notice.

“Yuan, relax. The hard part is over. Conferences last for a week at least, we will have plenty of time to deploy your plan. Now, go wash up and get some rest. I think you of all people need it most.” Knowing an argument wasn’t necessary in their already stressful conditions Yuan merely nodded before rising to his feet, bidding Zhu Lian a goodnight he began to make his way towards his room not too far away. Although as he attempted to enter the room he realised that the door had been slightly left ajar, he was sure he’d shut it properly earlier. His senses continued on high alert as he drew Bichen, the sword had been hidden away in a disguised sheath but once revealed the ice cold beauty that was Bichen was clear to the eye. Yuan had decided this a better fitting sword over his own, it was a way of proving who he was when it came to later plans. It was lucky that it was mainly within the Lan sect that Bichen was famous, if the Jiang disciples had noticed the blade then a whole different problem would have arisen. Stepping carefully into the room blanketed by darkness Yuan was unsure what had been there beforehand. He failed to hear the silent footsteps of another within the room, as soon as he had travelled far enough away from the door the individual slammed the door shut whilst baring it to ensure no-one could interrupt them.

“Who’s there!” Yuan sharply snapped, it felt odd speaking after his continual silence but the voice he’d spoken only confirmed the rogue individual's choice in his actions. With a simple movement the shadowy individual managed to slip just behind Yuan, his hand grasping at his waist, and a sweep at his ankle. It was soon that Yuan managed to find himself trapped against the floor, Bichen tossed out of his reach whilst an unknown individual held his hands above his head.

“Who are you!” He hollered, struggling in an attempt to free himself yet the unknown individual had sat himself so his weight prevented Yuan’s escape. Yuan had feared this would be his end, he’d come so close in managing to regain all he’d lost. In righting a wrong long overdue. But yet here he lay, immobilised. Bichen out of his grasp whilst he squirmed at another's mercy.

“I said-” Yuan was shocked, the individual apparently hadn’t come to end his life. It was worse, he’d come to claim something else. Yet Yuan couldn’t help himself giving into the person atop him, almost like he’d been here before. As if this person held him wrapped around their finger.

“I knew it.” When the pair parted, those were the only words Yuan had managed to hear, yet the carefully constructed tone was enough for Yuan to relax completely. Escape a distant thought. Soon a candle was lit nearby by the simple flick of the now illuminated Jin Ling’s hand, it wasn’t obvious before but now the light danced across his features Yuan realised Jin Ling was way more handsome than he ever gave credit.

“Ling, I-” The clear sound of a smack was heard in the silence of the room, Jin Ling had cleanly smacked Yuan across the cheek. With a scowl across his face he clambered off of Yuan who remained shocked on the floor, plopping himself on the bed tucked away towards the side of the wall.

“You were perfectly safe.” Jin Ling began to speak to himself, Yuan merely moved himself to a kneeling position feeling like he’d betrayed Jin Ling over the past two years. “You lived a perfectly normal life in Yunmeng.” Yuan was unsure how Jin Ling had acquired such information, he was sure Zhu Lian and himself had been so careful. Apparently not as careful as they could.

“I thought you were dead.” Jin Ling managed to spit out. His face was one of regret, tears beginning to stream down his face. Being careful to not move too much, Yuan began to approach Jin Ling. Yet he didn’t sit beside him on the bed, kneeling at the boy's feet in an act of apology.

“I was told to believe you were dead!” Jin Ling snapped, grasping hold of the elders' robes in a fit of anger. “I was told you were kidnapped by a rogue traitorous Lan disciple! That she followed the forbidden path and planned to turn a strong cultivator like yourself into a walking corpse!” Jin Ling shook with each word he spoke. “The rumours I’ve heard! And to make matters worse! The last thoughts I had of you were hatred! The last words I heard from you were of hatred of me just because of my name!” Yuan wasn’t sure where Jin Ling’s anger was aimed towards, but he refused to move. He knew a reaction would only set Jin Ling off once more.

“Aren’t you going to say something! No peaceful Lan sect remarks? No soft comfort that there are better actions than violence?” It was only hearing Jin Ling’s words of himself that Yuan realised how badly he’d been affected by the loss of everything he loved.

“I would watch the Lan sect burn to the ground.” Jin Ling released Yuan’s robes by this point, he was shaken by the words of the boy before him. “I would be the one to begin the fire.” Jin Ling began to scramble backwards at this point, this was a man before him who was willing to do whatever he deemed morally correct to attain his goal. “I would watch as each of those fumbling elders received an equal suffering to what my family has endured.” Yuan had even realised what words had begun to fall from his lips, he truly hadn’t noticed to what disgrace he’d fallen too.

“What of Jingyi? He holds the title of sect heir, if you burn down the Lan sect what becomes of him?” Yuan had begun to encroach on Jin Ling’s personal space, making it so that there was hardly any space between the pair of them.

“He doesn’t want such a responsibility, you said so yourself. He hates it.” Jin Ling realised he was no longer speaking to the Yuan he had once opened his heart to. This boy held only desire within his eyes, desire for revenge on those who harmed him.

“Sizhui do you hear yourself! What you're saying is crazy!” Yuan appeared to freeze at this point, the call of his old name sparking a familiarity, although it lasted only a few seconds.

“My name is Wei Yuan. Son to Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian.” Jin Ling’s jaw dropped, Yuan’s father was Wei Wuxian! His uncle! “I come from both an angel praised by the world and a demon discarded and disrespected. I spent my life listening to people disrespect and insult the man who raised me when no other would. When I was a child I was nearly murdered by the sect that raised me. I am called ruthless and blood thirsty just because the blood of a Wen runs through my veins. Now tell me Rulan,” Jin Ling wasn’t sure how to respond, he’d been informed of so many past wrongs, of a child which should have been impossible. Yet when he spoke his name there was a softness of sorts. “Tell me I’m not due for a repayment, tell me that I should allow the world to continue walking upon me. That if I was to reveal all this that I wouldn’t be cut down on the spot without a second thought.” Jin Ling couldn’t utter a word, he knew Yuan was right. He knew that justice had to come sooner or later, but his methods, which only God knew what they were, were not the correct way. Feeling Yuan beginning to back away, Jin Ling did the only thing he could think of. Cupping Yuan’s face, Jin Ling locked his lips against the other, the pair melting into one another despite the boiling turmoil which existed with Yuan. Despite being the exact being Jin Ling had been taught to despise, the younger somehow felt if Yuan was to go through with any of the words he had spoken of he would not hold it against him. Briefly parting for a second, a few words managed to slip past Jin Ling’s lips.

“Forget all that. Just be with me now.” Locking against him once more, Jin Ling allowed himself to be at the mercy of Yuan, the pair twisting and turning against one another. Neither one was sure who had loosened the ties on the others robes first, yet they both now sat with only their inner robes remaining.

“Rulan, tell me to stop.” Tears began to run down Yuan’s face at this point, despite his mind being in turmoil his heart managed to remain full for the person before him. “Tell me to stop and I will. Tell me to disappear and I will, I’ll run away and you’ll never hear or see of me again. Tell me it’s foolish, tell me I’m a fool to imagine I could instigate any change. Tell me that it is wrong to want to stay beside you. Tell me it’s wrong to love you!” Jin Ling couldn’t stand watching Yuan in this state, he was so broken his desire to stay whole and loved had truly broken him further than he ever was supposed to be. Lifting a single hand to cup his cheek, words began to flow like river water from Jin Ling’s lips, the sound alone was enough to intoxicate Yuan yet what he uttered meant more to the boy than anything else in that moment.

“Love is not foolish. I cannot be the one to decide whether or not you go through with your plans, all I can say is that if you do people will be harmed. Things will not remain the same.” Running his thumb along Yuan’s cheek Jin Ling hadn’t realised that the elder had slowly begun to relax into his grasp. “But then is change really a bad thing?” Contemplating his words Yuan realised he was correct, if not for change he wouldn’t have met his parents. If not for change Yuan would still merely be a disciple. If not for change he wouldn’t have befriended and fallen for Jin Ling.

“For now, let's make one small change.” Jin Ling muttered out as he pulled a small chain from beneath his robe, along the chain lay two carefully crafted rings. One delicate with a lotus flower engraved along it, the other held the engraving of a peony. A beautiful one of a kind set of rings, sliding the pair off the chain Jin Ling situated himself so he sat upright. The two silver bands glimmering in the moon’s light. Taking hold of Yuan’s hand Jin Ling slipped on the former ring whilst the latter ring was slipped onto his own hand.

“From separated to inseparable. This is a proposal I hope you know.”

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

“It is a pleasure to have you sect leader Nie,” Jiang Cheng bowed as he greeted the man. Nie Huaisang had accompanied his elder brother to the event, however continually hiding his face behind his fan. He wasn’t willing to speak with Jiang Cheng, he still blamed him for the murder of his close friend. Although he held a slight grudge against his brother as well he was able to forgive him over time, his brother had given up on having Huaisang study the art of the sabre. Although he still forced his brother to have a role within the Nie sect, typically this was him being involved in the politics side after all Nie Huaisang appeared to have a skill in gaining whatever their Sect required. “Thank you for having us, sect leader Jiang.” Nie Mingjue bowed in turn as he began to make his way inside, knowing Lan Xichen hadn’t arrived yet Nie Mingjue settled himself in his seat at the main hall. The man wasn’t well known for his social skills. Nie Huaisang however took it upon himself to locate the Jiang family shrine; he believed he was long overdue in paying respects to his friend and his sister.

Jiang Cheng remained at the entrance, awaiting any other guests. He was supposed to be doing it alongside Jin Ling yet the boy hadn’t left his chambers this morning, he had sent a disciple to fetch him earlier yet said disciple never returned. The hall was beginning to fill up with individuals by this point, the Nie sect had been the only one of the four great sects to arrive so far. Although that was to be expected with the Nie sect being the closer of the two. Running footsteps could be heard soon after, followed by a panting Jin Ling resting beside Jiang Cheng.

“I believe I told you to be here earlier.” Jiang Cheng spoke with anger, although he controlled his volume enough that only Jin Ling could hear.

“I overslept.” Jin Ling wasn’t lying, he truly had overslept. Although in which bed he’d overslept and the reasoning behind his oversleeping was something Jiang Cheng needn’t be informed of.

“Have you decided on what you should do come next year?” The pair returned to a silence as another small clan leader greeted them at the entrance. As soon as the clan leader was inside Jin Ling spoke.

“Yes. I haven’t changed my mind.” A small sigh left Jiang Cheng’s lips, his nephew truly was as stubborn as he was.

“You understand the consequences of that choice?” Jin Ling nodded his head in understanding, he understood that when he turned eighteen next year he would be due to inherit the title of sect leader. That the elders of the Jin sect would rip the power from Jin Guangyao and the current sect leader and hand it all to him. That would inevitably result in him rarely being able to leave the confines of Lanling.

“You know you can always-”

“Uncle.” Jin Ling snapped, it was very rare he argued with his uncle but Jin Ling had grown tired of his uncle attempting to have him inherit the title of the Jiang sect. The idea was one he would have loved as a child, the place was always bright and joyful to him. The constant bustling of the familiar crowds and the beauty of the lakes. But the Jin sect was more powerful, more unstable. He knew if he was to abdicate there would be a disastrous impact, greedy men would inherit power and many would suffer due to it. If Jin Ling truly could choose he’d pick Lotus Pier in a heartbeat. But he truly didn’t have a choice.

“Sect leader Jiang.” Came the scratching voice of a man Jiang Cheng couldn’t stand, Jin Guangyao had arrived from the Jin sect.

“Jin Guangyao.” Jiang Cheng returned the bow in turn, taking note of Jin Ling in the purple robes of the Jiang sect a scowl crossed his face.

“I hope you have not forgotten our agreement.” Jin Guangyao spoke to Jin Ling in such a way Jiang Cheng had to hold back every muscle in his body to not strike the man before him.

“Of course not. Please take your seat inside.” With a smile across his lips Jin Guangyao made his way inside, the small group of Jin disciples trailing behind him. Each one exchanging various whispers as the sight of Jin Ling dressed as a Jiang crossed their vision.

“Spoiled brats.” Jiang Cheng spat under his breath, which managed to bring a smile to the boy's lips. Despite being raised under the same wealth Jin Ling was relieved to know he wasn’t close to how they acted.

“Sect leader Jiang.” Called the young voice of Lan Jingyi, the boy was dressed in the main family robes of the Lan sect. His posture poised and face absent of any childish youth Jin Ling recalled. His eyes landing on Jingyi’s forehead ribbon, Jin Ling’s thoughts washed over to Yuan, how he couldn’t wear such a headband anymore. The thought saddened him, how Lan Sizhui had been so proud to wear that headband, to don the robes Jingyi now wore. Yet it had been ripped away from him.

“Young master Lan.” Jiang Cheng bowed to Jingyi, he’d been informed beforehand that Lan Xichen was unable to attend the conference and had instead sent the Lan heir.

“Young master Jiang.” Jingyi turned and bowed to Jin Ling, knowing of his surname change whilst within Yunmeng. Zizhen had kept him well updated with their various letter exchanges, those were one of the few highlights Jingyi had looked forward to ever since his new title was bestowed upon him.

“Jingyi, please call me Rulan.” That shocked Jingyi, he was so used to addressing everyone so formally aside from Zizhen in their letters it had become a habit.

“Sorry, the journey from Gusu was a long and tiring one.” A ghost of a smile drifted across Jingyi’s lips, taking note of the tiredness Jin Ling glanced at his uncle. The man gave a curt nod in response.

“Let me take you to rest elsewhere before the conference is to begin, your disciples can take their seats inside.” With a short nod of his head Jingyi looked towards the various Lan’s accompanying him, giving various instructions the group began to make their way inside. It was only then that Jin Ling took note of one Lan in particular, but he wasn’t able to get confirmation before he’d disappeared inside. Turning to Jingyi Jin Ling was going to question him, but seeing the fatigue across his face he thought better of it.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

“A-Hen!” Jingyi hollered as he raced up to Jiang Zizhen, the poor boy was tackled by Lan Jingyi before he had time to react.

“Jingyi, can you please not tackle our new head disciple.” Jin Ling sighed in exasperation, he truly felt like a third wheel whilst with the pair.

“Wait, you got the title!” Jingyi exclaimed in shock whilst he still hugged Zizhen who was attempting to drag the pair of them to their feet.

“It’s not been announced yet, but yes.” Zizhen awkwardly smiled, he was still unsure of Jiang Cheng’s decision but after today it would be official.

“A-Hen, that’s amazing!” Jingyi exclaimed once more planting a kiss on his cheek, Zizhen began to blossom a shade of rose.

“All right love birds, enough before you make me sick.” Jin Ling jokes, his arms laying crossed across his stomach. The pair not noticing his grip increasing on his arm as he felt more envious of the pair, they’d managed to become engaged in the last two years and spend the much wanted time they desired with one another. Meanwhile he’d been holed up in the Jin sect carrying out work which was above him, constantly swarmed in paperwork. Zizhen had been indoctrinated into the Jiang sect over the previous two years to Jin Ling’s relief, he could no longer be looked down upon and finally receive a title worth his talents. But a part of Jin Ling had wished for the same of him and Yuan, yes they’d begun to rekindle the relationship of the past but part of Jin Ling knew that some things could never return to how they once were.

“By the way Rulan, did you manage to sweep a lady off her feet recently?” Jingyi joked, Zizhen and Jin Ling exchanged glances with one another. The thought of the conversation they had only had days prior playing in their mind.

“I’m afraid I’m not as lucky as you two, I remain single.” Jin Ling tried to joke in turn. “Why would you ask such a thing?” Jin Ling hadn’t realised it but he’d begun to fidget with the ring on his finger twisting it in a circle.

“Maybe because you have that.” Pointing to the ring Jin Ling realised he didn’t really have an excuse behind the ring. Although he knew there wasn’t a single chance of him taking it off.

“It belonged to my father, so I thought I’d start wearing it.” It was a poor excuse Jin Ling was aware of that, but it was one he believed was most believable until he could inform the pair of the truth.

“Are you sure-“ Jingyi tried to speak but was interrupted by his fiancé.

“A-Yi, enough. There isn’t long till the start of the conference, how about you rest in my chambers. If that’s okay with Rulan?” The individual in question nodded in agreement, he’d only suggested Jingyi resting so he could bring him to Zizhen’s post. After all watching the pair yearn for one enough in the last few months whether that was through letters or actually witnessing it first hand it was unbearable. The quicker they married the better in Jin Ling’s opinion.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

With the start of the conference came the various political arguments, Jin Ling and Lan Jingyi wished they could disappear and leave the discussion to the adults but being Sect heirs made that near to impossible.

“With the recent increase in fierce corpses near Lanling I find it only fair that the Nie sect aid us with their recent increase in disciples. I believe it is the best course of action.” Jin Guangyao began to utter, Nie Mingjue’s anger began to spike immediately. He still held a deep rooted hatred for the Jin ever since his betrayal, before anything could be taken any further Nie Huaisang returned to the hall, face hidden behind his fan but piercing eyes still visible.

“You believe that is the best course of action?” Situating himself beside his brother Nie Huaisang began to spin his elaborate web. “The Nie sect, one of the smallest of the four great sects, should be assisting the Jin sect, the most luxurious and wealthy of the four sects?” Jin Guyangyao was stumped, trying to absolve the situation he attempted to cut the threads Nie Huaisang had begun to lay.

“If the Nie sect is in such a position then the Jin sect would be willing to assist?” With a smirk across his lips Nie Huaisang continued to weave.

“Is the Jin sect calling the Nie sect weak?” Jin Guangyao knew he had instantly fallen into a vicious trap. “Does the Jin sect believe the Nie sect is unable to take care of itself? That we the Nie’s have to develop a debt to the Jin sect just in order to survive?” Jin Guangyao began to fumble his words in an attempt to scramble out.

“We would never dare to accuse such ridiculous ideas. I merely believe if the Nie sect considers itself smaller-“

“We of the Nie sect do not consider ourselves smaller, it is only the fact that our numbers come closer to the Jiang sect than that of the Jin sect. If you wish for assistance the Lan sect would be much more well suited with their refined and perfected disciples. Is that not correct Young master Lan?” Lan Jingyi, whose head had begun to spin through Nie Huaisangs quick paced and carefully constructed words, turned to the man.

“I- Uhm- Yes we of the Lan sect have strict rules and therefore exemplary disciples. But if Jin Guangyao requires such assistance he is better to request from our current sect leader, you are brothers so I doubt sect leader Lan would deny such a request.” Jingyi wasn’t sure if that was the correct answer, or whether he had addressed it in the manner he should have. All he knew was Jin Ling had traces of a smirk along his lips so he had done something correct.

“Yes, well I shall have to request an audience with sect leader Lan.” With his starting point shut down Jin Guangyao attempted to hide himself away until another opportunity presented itself. However Nie Huaisang was not a man to let his opponent flee, and Jiang Cheng was an educated man in the world of politics and was aware specifically of the internal conflict and political nightmare the Jin sect suffered. After all the countless letters he’d received from Jin Ling over the years crying out for advice on how to resolve issues was enough insight.

“May I ask, is there a pattern to the fierce corpses appearing?” Jin Guangyao swallowed anxiously, if he was merely alone he would easily be able to lie and manipulate the situation to his benefit. But there sat Jin Ling beside Jiang Cheng who knew the exact details of this struggling case which had been ongoing for over two months now.

“Heavy resentful energy, traditionally woman although the clothes the women wear varies from the rags of the poor and underfed and that of a refined rich woman more commonly found with the inner walls. The ages can range from younger than myself to the age of the people within this room. Each corpse holds a resentment against any individual befitting the robes of the Jin sect. There have been various reports of the residents who frequently traverse between the city of Lanling and smaller nearby villages that they have received no harm or feel threatened by these corpses.” Having reviewed such an accurate and specific report Jiang Cheng smirked in understanding, it was obvious at a quick glance of the situation what had befell the now fierce corpses. The Jin sect had been attempting to dispose of its influx of recently deceased through whatever they may have suffered. But due to the amount of them and their continuous hatred for the Jin sect they had manifested one another in walking corpses.

“I believe the Jin sect has the resources to dispose of something so simple, why request the aid of the other sects?” Jiang Cheng muttered to the struggling Jin Guangyao, he may be the representative of the Jin sect but when within Lanling he held little to no power. He’d religiously brought up the recent flux of fierce corpses yet the current sect leader refused to do a thing about it. If it had been Jin Ling perhaps the elders would have considered resolving such a problem behind the sect leaders back, but Jin Guangyao was seen as tainted and impure, therefore no such action was taken.

“My apologies. I shall have to consult with others upon my return to Lanling, if that would be okay with young master Jin?” Jin Ling’s nails began to dig into the palm of his hand, he couldn’t proudly state the name he addressed himself by within Yunmeng, the future sect leaders could take it as a rebellion against his natural right to the Jin sect which would complicate matters.

“Of course, now I must excuse myself for I have matters to attend to.” Jiang Cheng was confused by his nephew's words, Jin Ling had no such duties to interrupt the meeting. Yet he couldn’t point out his lie, that would only begin to sew a seed of doubt amongst everyone. Before Jiang Cheng could think further Jin Ling had already exited the hall.

“Now,” Jin Guangyao clasped his hands together with a broad smile across his face. “I believe we should begin discussion of-”

“I have a better topic to discuss.” Came the mysterious yet dull voice, each leader looked amongst themselves in search for the mysterious voice yet failed to locate such a person. Jingyi began to feel as a chill traversed down his spine, the voice felt familiar yet different. Almost like the joy had been drained from the voice's soul. Soon a shadow dropped from the eaves of the room, a dark blue mystery wrapped in various layers of darkness. A cloth lay across the individual's face so only the piercing grey eyes of the mysterious individual could be seen.

“Who are you!” Nie Mingjue quickly declared, revealing two parts of his sword from its sheath, yet Nie Huaisang placed a hand atop of his brothers. Glancing at his younger brother Nie Mingjue watched as he shook his head in silence. He was intrigued on how such a curious individual managed to make their way inside without a single person in the room noticing them.

“My name is not to be of concern, what is to be a concern is the truth behind the Lan sect.” Pointing his sheathed sword towards Jingyi the shadowy individual continued to speak.

“Is it true you inherited a title not initially yours?” Jingyi raised his hands in a panic, he hadn’t expected such events to occur at such a boring conference. Sweat began to bead down the back of his neck, he couldn’t reveal such facts. Jingyi’s fear was how much this individual truly knew, and how far they intended to go with this truth.

“What’s wrong? Rules forbidding you to speak?” The cloaked individual mocked, watching as Jingyi’s eyebrow began to furrow. It was easy to press Jingyi’s buttons in order to get him to speak or slip up.

“How dare you disrespect our rules! You have no right to disrespect them whilst you yourself hide away in dishonour!” The cloaked individual didn’t realise that Jingyi’s words would take such a jab at the cloaked figure's heart.

“Despite breaking them yourself? Despite the ones who raised you disrespecting and breaking those rules?” Jingyi knew he was cornered, he knew he was the worst example of a Lan. He knew of the hidden history of the Lan sect, the dark secrets they’d built over the years. But he couldn’t allow some random individual to tear the Lan sect to shreds, he still had to hand over the title to Sizhui when he found him.

“Those who have broken the rules have received just punishment.” Jingyi managed to calmly gasp out, he glanced at his fellow Lan’s yet each one turned a blind eye to him. In their eyes getting involved in such an incident would only lead to more scandals to be revealed. Although one Lan would have intervened, but having nothing left to care for his mind continued to wander through the endless fields he’d constructed.

“Just punishment?” The individual mocked, his vision locked on Jingyi and only Jingyi alone. “What of the punishment which befell a disciple under the name of Lan Sizhui?” Grasping hold of the cuffs of his robe Jingyi began to panic, the amount of suffering his best friend went through was not something the world had to know.

“Don’t…” He managed to mutter out, he valued the Lan sect and all its principles. He valued the family he had, the parents who cared and loved him and still do. He valued the ancient teachings handed down through the Lan sect. Yet he couldn’t allow such dishonour to his friend, to his brother. “I’ll answer anything. Just don’t speak of him.” Nodding in understanding the cloaked figure lowered his sword and returned it to his waist.

“Young master Lan, you can’t really-” The Lan disciple was silenced as a blade was pressed against his neck. More accurately a single small blade extended from the fan which the woman carried.

“One more word and it won’t just be the Lan sect secrets spilled.” The surrounding Lan disciples weren’t sure where this mysterious woman had appeared from nor why she was attempting to kill one of them, but they knew she would not hesitate on her words.

“Wei Lian! What are you doing?” Jiang Cheng exclaimed, he recognised the woman’s voice instantly. He’d invited her into his home, for what? Just so she could murder his guests?

“Wei?” A small clan leader exclaimed, the name still struck fear into individuals hearts.

“She’s a relative of Wei Wuxian! She must be cut down!” The man quickly unsheathed his sword, the blade pointed directly in the direction of Zhu Lian. Although the man’s vision was quickly blocked by none other than Liu Chen, otherwise known as Ouyang Chen the heir to the Ouyang sect. She'd travelled alongside her uncle in order to attain more experience in such events.

“Move aside, foolish girl!” The man hollered yet Liu Chen refused to move, a stone cold expression across her face as she glared at the man.

“No.” Hands tucked away in her sleeves Liu Chen felt slightly happy at watching such a man struggle.

“Ouyang Chen, sit down this instant!” Her uncle demanded, he had suffered enough disgrace at the hands of his son’s abdication. He wasn’t willing to suffer from his foolish niece as well.

“No. I would like to be informed by Lady Wei, or will your blind sightedness ruin this opportunity as well?” The old man didn’t know how to react to being disrespected by such a young girl.

“Ouyang, aren’t you going to do something?” Fumbling for words, the Ouyang clan leader got to his feet. But even he was stopped by a blade.

“Touch a hair on her head and you die.” Jiang Zizhen had managed to sneak in by this point, unaware of where Jin Ling had disappeared to at this time and receiving various reports of strange words being shouted in the conference he had taken it upon himself to investigate. At a perfect time too with his cousin being disrespected. “Sit. Down.” The Ouyang clan leader could utter no other words, he simply sank back down to his seat with a searing face of anger. Returning his sword to his sheath, Jiang Zizhen took his side beside his cousin, Liu Chen had a more positive expression across her face. Although still stone-like, there was a hint of positivity. Glaring daggers into his disowned son the Ouyang clan leader reached for his sword, with the boy's back turned he was open to an attack. That was until Jiang Cheng released Zidian upon the man, attacking not only his hand but knocking his sword aside so it lay beside Zizhen.

“That was a warning. Attempt to attack our head disciple again and I will take it as an act of hostility against the Jiang sect.” Zidian slivered back into its place, Jiang Cheng could have restrained the mysterious figure at any point he pleased yet he allowed for this to continue.

“Belonging to a major sect has its perks.” Liu Chen quietly joked to Jiang Zizhen, the elder merely replied. “You have no idea.”

It was by this point that the cloaked individual grew tired of interruptions, glancing his way back to the Lan ‘heir’.

“Lan Jingyi, you swear to answer the truth?” The boy nodded in agreement, he wouldn’t jeopardise Sizhui.

“Who is the current leader of the Lan sect?” He began with simple questions, things people knew to be true to prove the boy was speaking the truth.

“Lan Xichen, Lan Huan, Zewu-Jun.” The cloaked individual nodded his head in agreement.

“Who was the prior sect leader?”

“Lan Qinheng, however once away in seclusion the mantle was taken by Lan Qiren.” Everyone agreed upon this, although the reasoning behind the man’s seclusion was a fact unknown to the world.

“Who holds the title of the heir to the Lan sect?” Jingyi felt his breath fall short before his response.

“I, Lan Jingyi. Although my birth name is Lan Zirui.” That shocked everyone within the room, every individual had assumed the boy's birth name had been Jingyi whilst the boy had never received a courtesy name. Even Zizhen was unaware of this.

“Why was no-one made aware of your birth name?” The cloaked individual was interested in this small divot of newfound information.

“I was informed I was unworthy of such a name.” Jingyi admitted with a heavy heart, he’d always loved his birth name. It was a reminder of what his parents had always hoped for him, that he wasn’t merely another Lan disciple in the crowd.

“Who declared such a thing?” With a heavy sigh Jingyi added another sin to the ever growing list this man held.

“Grandmaster Lan, Lan Qiren.” Not surprised by the name that left the boy's mouth, the cloaked individual continued to speak.

“Would you say Lan Qiren has committed other offences?” Jingyi nodded his head in agreement, yet began to glare holes into the individual standing before him. The cloaked figure was learning dangerously close to disclosing unneeded information.

“Could you list such offences?” Nodding his head once more Jingyi began to list off the various unforgivable crimes committed by Lan Qiren.

“The attempted murder of a child, the unjust punishment against a child, almost blinding a disciple, the attempted murder of Hanguan-jun’s significant other.” Murmurs began to traverse amongst the crowd, not only of the great Lan Qiren’s reputation being tarnished but of the rumours of Lan Wangji having a significant other.

“Would you say the people who suffered at his hand have recovered?” Jingyi closed his eyes and shook his head, words needn't express his answer. Even Zhu Lian felt a ghost of pain hover beneath her eye where a scar lay.

“Would you say others have committed acts similar to Lan Qiren?” Jingyi nodded his head in agreement, he didn’t need to be questioned on this. He would willingly inform the world of this.

“Lan Xichen.” Various angered shouts were heard amongst the crowd, however a swift glance from the cloaked individual silenced them.

“Care to explain?” Jingyi nodded, looking back to the disciples who he was betraying, he began to speak.

“Lan Xichen has not only punished his brother for unjust occasions more than once, he rendered Hanguan-jun within an inch of his life each occasion. The man has turned a blind eye to many unjust problems within the Lan sect, including refusing to search for the missing heir Lan Sizhui.” A smile began to grow across the cloaked individuals lips, although hidden away the smile could be seen in their eyes.

“What has happened to the heir Lan Sizhui?” Jingyi steeled his heart as he began to speak, he’d spent various days whilst on night hunts attempting to try and locate Sizhui to no avail.

“He was kidnapped by a disciple of ours, although that is what the rumours state. I do not believe them.”

“Why do you not believe the rumours?” The cloaked figure continued to press forwards.

“Lan Sizhui would not lie down and allow himself to be kidnapped. I am aware of the skill set which he holds, escaping confinement would not be difficult for him.” Jingyi continued to stare down those grey eyes, attempting to connect them with a set of eyes he’d seen before in his life. “If Lan Sizhui left the Lan sect it was not of his own choice that I am sure, but to not return? There I suggest lies more truth than I am privy to.” Jingyi bowed in respect to the cloaked individual, he had failed to connect the person's eyes to someone he was already aware of. If it had been someone he knew this person had changed so much that he was unrecognisable.

“If Lan Sizhui was to return, what would you do?” This was a question Jingyi had been contemplating for two years, each day he awoke it was a cruel reminder that Sizhui wasn’t going to knock on his door to awake him when he was late, that he wasn’t going to walk through the classroom doors as he usually would. Sizhui wouldn’t be within the rabbit field tending to Hanguan-Jun’s rabbits. He wouldn’t be able to sneak into Sizhui’s room and complain of the day's work, he wouldn’t be able to tease him of his and Jin Ling’s relationship, he wasn’t able to carry out night hunts alongside his best friend.

“If he was to return… I would beg him for forgiveness.” Silence was apparent across the room, the mention of Lan Sizhui had brought a certain Lan to focus on the situation. “Beg him to come home with me. Beg him to continue his studies alongside me. Beg him to be beside me like we once were.” The tears that began to traverse down the sides of Lan Jingyi’s face were not the tears of a friend mourning the loss of a friend. It was the tears of a small boy crying out for the return of his brother.

“What if Lan Sizhui was to be dead?”

Chapter Text

The mere mention of such an idea brought a dagger to Lan Jingyi’s heart. How could he even contemplate the idea of Lan Sizhui no longer being alive?

“I refuse to believe it. The only way you could prove it would be to bring his corpse before me.” Jingyi knew if he had witnessed Sizhui’s dead body directly before him he would be an inconsolable mess. But he knew the idea to be impossible. Knowing he had finished with Jingyi the disguised figure turned to the remaining sect leaders.

“Now you have heard of such events, what do you people intend to do?” A glare sat upon his eyes as the cloaked individual watched as each person struggled to comprehend an answer. That was everyone except Nie Huiasang.

“Nothing.” Drawing his sword from its sheath the cloaked figure felt his anger skyrocket.

“What do you mean nothing! You have heard of the dishonourable acts yet you allow them to stand? You allow people to remain unpunished?” Nie Huiasang allowed a smirk to cross his lips, it was only then he allowed for his fan to drop to reveal his calm and reserved expression.

“Yes. We have heard accusations, that is correct. But have you any proof?” Watching the individual shake with his sword in hand a small smile began to tug at the edges of Nie Huiasang's lips. “Although that sword should serve as proof enough. Am I correct, son of Hanguan-Jun? Or better yet Lan Sizhui, or perhaps Lan Yuan.” Clutching Bichen tightly between his fingers, Sizhui realised he’d been caught to his dismay. Feeling there was no need to hide his identity anymore, Sizhui removed the cloth covering his face to reveal his still pale complexion, despite having worked in the fields it was only Zhu Lian who had developed a tan.

“How did you know?” Sizhui questioned, taking a quick glance around the room Sizhui took note of the now speechless Jingyi, the boy had his hands clasped to one another it looked as if he couldn’t believe what he saw before him. The surrounding Lan disciples were also at a loss for words, Zizhen was assisting Liu Chen who appeared to be looking to collapse at any second. Not a single soul took note of the Lan rising to his feet.

“Simple. I knew you when you were a child, the hue which Bichen took on is ever so slightly different to that of Hanguan-Jun’s. It’s as if a hint of red is imbued into the tone. I’d only ever seen it once before, it must have been when you were six. A meeting between my brother and Zewu-Jun where I had tagged along, it was here I was greeted with the sight between father and son. I remember watching the joy in your fathers eyes by just being alongside you.” Sizhui’s face still retained a scowl as he angrily pointed his sword towards Nie Huiasang, the spiritual energy appeared to be increasing in the red hue by this point.

“You lie! A-Die was in seclusion when I was that age!” Taking steps closer Sizhui ended up placing his blade directly against Nie Huiasang’s neck, Nie Mingjue looked like he was ready to slaughter the boy before him yet stayed in place as Nie Huiasang had instructed.

“You're right, he was. How about the day he left seclusion?” Placing ever so slight pressure to the blade a thin drip of blood began to travel down the Nie’s neck. Yet he refused to flinch.

“Why do you know so much? How do I not know you're just some power hungry man who wants to throw the world into chaos with unprovable rumours?” Nie Huiasang smiled before he gradually spoke.

“Because I know who your mother is.” Sizhui’s hands began to shake at that statement, nobody could know that, not even Jin Ling knew. “And I can see a father who desperately wants his son.” Lost by Nie Huiasang's words Sizhui slowly began to turn around to face the crowd of faces, yet the minute his eyes met with the mysterious Lan all his prior plans and prior actions he’d planned to act upon faded away. Bichen swiftly dropped to the floor with a loud clang which reverberated around the room. The pair embraced one another within seconds, within each other's grasps they sank to their knees.. Lan Wangji tightly gripped his arms around the boy he feared he’d never lie eyes on again, Sizhui allowing his tears to fall freely as the warmth of the embrace his father gave him brought comfort he’d only dreamt of receiving again.

“A-Die… How did you…” Sizhui attempted to rasp out, yet was only hushed as his father hugged him tighter.

“It doesn’t matter, all that matters is you are safe.” Shocked and unsure what to do the room remained in silence, it was only when Jin Guangyao raised to his feet and began slowly clapping that everyone's attention was taken back.

“How sweet, the reunion of a father and son.” Jiang Cheng knew not to give the man the opportunity to gain the upper hand so swiftly interjected.

“Cut the crap, what are you trying to do?” Shocked by the Jiang’s sudden hostility to the man everyone began to murmur, with the late Jiang Yanli having married into the Jin sect alongside Jin Ling’s dual heritage the cultivation world believed the two sects to have a more polite attitude to one another.

“Oh, just that Lan Wangji here has broken rules declared by his very own sect leader. Oh wait, he isn’t your sect leader anymore. Is he?” Various sharp gasps were heard around the room as Jin Guangyao began to approach the pair situated beside one another, Lan Wangji glanced to the ground knowing Jin Guangyao was correct.

“Tell me he’s wrong. Tell me he lies A-Die.” Sizhui grasped at Lan Wangji’s sleeve as he begged, for the horrid Jin’s words to be wrong.

“I’m afraid not young Lan, although I believe you are no longer a Lan either.” As a smile lay across Jin Guangyao’s lips he began to traipse away back to his seat, it was then something flickered inside of Sizhui’s mind. A memory of sorts in a way, the retreating back of a man dressed in the yellow robes. The appalling stench of rustic blood reaching his nostrils, beside him the body of another. They had red and white robes, yet they were still children. A gaping gash across the other boy's neck. Filled with fear and anger Sizhui was unable to distinguish what was real and what was memory.

“A-Yuan?” Lan Wangji questioned as Sizhui dragged his body to his feet, seeing the sword in hand Lan Wangji began to fear the worst. Yet he was too slow to react, no-one could have predicted Sizhui’s actions before he reacted. Worse yet it was at this time Jin Ling made his reappearance into the hall. Greeted by the sight of Jin Guangyao pierced through the chest by Bichen, a face of pure agony was across the Jin’s face. Yet as he collapsed to the floor, his blood beginning to puddle around him a smirk crossed his lips, Jin Ling had watched Sizhui murder someone of his own sect in cold blood. Blood splattered across his cheek Sizhui’s gaze turned to Jin Ling, yet he didn’t react in the slightest. Merely turning to the remaining Jin disciples as a smile began to grace his lips, this was his perfect opportunity to take back what was taken from him, it was then Wen Fu’s voice began to whisper into his ear.

“Yes, keep going… They caused you all this suffering… They took everything that was precious to you… Take your fill my child…” No one in the room could understand to begin with, Sizhui had been somewhat calm despite his threats of harming people; they had only been empty words. But now Jin Guangyao lay dead upon the floor of Lotus Pier, Sizhui taking increasing steps towards the remaining Jin disciples who had attempted to flee between various other sects. Even Jin Qiang who had once attempted to cripple Ouyang Zizhen now cowered behind the now Jiang Zizhen in fear.

“I know you hate me! But don’t let him near me!” Zizhen glanced at Liu Chen briefly in shock yet only watched as she shoved him aside, drawing her sword to quickly repel Sizhui’s attack.

“Sizhui, I know you don’t know me that well… But please snap out of it!” Parrying Sizhui’s sword strike she continued to retaliate against his strikes, they weren't the precise ones they once were. Filled with rage and despair his strikes were merely heavy strikes which held more weight behind them than Liu Chen expected.

“She’s defending the monsters, doesn’t that make her a monster too?” Wen Fu’s voice began to question, it was at this point the resentment in the room began to grow being aimed at Sizhui, a Wen by blood Wen Fu was able to slowly start absorbing it improving her influence over the boy but part of Sizhui still managed to remain.

“She’s been tricked… I will not harm her…” After the pair exchanged various blows against one another’s swords Liu Chen began to realise she was being tricked into taking various steps backwards. But by this point it was too late, a final blow resulted in her tripping over the nearby table, the cups scattered and shattered against the floor in a flurry of moves. But with the sword disarmed Liu Chen feared the worst, yet Sizhui merely tossed her blade within his hand before piercing it through the shoulder of her clothes, merely grazing her skin leaving not even a trace of permanent damage.

“Stay down.” Sizhui whispered into her ear whilst Liu Chen looked into his eyes with fear. However his attention was quickly taken away from her fear filled expression to Zizhen who had attempted to perform a sneak attack. Parrying it with ease Sizhui looked to Jin Qiang cowering behind Zizhen, a smile upon his lips he began to speak or more accurately the manipulated soul of Sizhui spoke with the assistance of Wen Fu.

“He almost crippled you… Yet you defend him?” Lips tightly sealed, Zizhen failed to give a response, merely sending strike after strike in an attempt to disarm.

“Stop playing around!” Wen Fu hissed into his ear, knowing Sizhui was enjoying this spar against his old friend. Anger rising, Sizhui snapped at the spirit.

“I’m not screwing around!” Everyone grew confused, why was Sizhui speaking as if he had gone mad? Although most of the individuals there believed him to be mad since he entered the room. It was only if one was to focus they would begin to see the faint imprint of what was possibly a woman dressed in the fiery robes of a sect long dead.

“A-Yi!” Zizhen hollered, snapping the completely distorted Jingyi out of his trance. The boy quickly stepped forwards drawing his sword, it was here that the couple positioned themselves for a pincer attack. Taking note of the sudden movements from behind, Sizhui merely flipped out of range, landing himself nearby Jin Ling. The younger took note of the shadowy figure beginning to form, the woman looked familiar to him. Almost like he’d seen her face somewhere long passed.

“Him! Him!” Wen Fu began to screech in Sizhui’s ear, laying her eyes upon the one she could not torture nor kill before brought her great suffering. “Kill the Young master in the Jiang robes!” Sizhui took a swift glance at Jin Ling before leaping towards a Jin disciple who believed he’d be able to sneak out without being taken notice of. Sadly Sizhui had expected such, it was the cowardly Jin sect after all.

“The purple robes!” Wen Fu hollered, now having an almost corporal form she was able to grasp hold of the boy's robes tugging him in the direction she desired.

“No.” Was Sizhui’s response, everyone still remained in shock as the ghost that was Wen Fu began to appear before their eyes. Lan Wangji felt at a loss, he had no sword nor guqin to fight with. If he was able to get hold of a single instrument he would be able to give aid, granted his skills in other instruments was not as impressive or effective as a guqin but would still allow some form of assistance.

“It’s a spirit!” Hollered by a small clan leader, it was then that Wen Fu realised she was no longer floating aimlessly but had her feet firmly pressed against the ground. Stamping her foot to ensure she wasn’t dreaming Wen Fu felt the firmness of the floorboard against the sole of her foot.

“A spirit indeed!” Wen Fu began to howl, she finally had a somewhat solid form which allowed her to interact with others without the need of Sizhui.

“You all are fools! Your hatred against this boy has given me all the resentment I need!” With that the room was shrouded into an inky darkness, it was instant. But if one had been an external viewer they would have noticed a dome had formed around the hall, if one was to touch it they would feel all the resentment attempting to course through their body at once yet if one did attempt they would be sent flying backwards their body filled to the brim with resentment it wasn’t fatal, if you weren’t a Jin.

“Why are you here, devil woman!” A man called, with a smile upon her face Wen Fu couldn’t help herself from cackling.

“Devil woman? DEVIL WOMAN? You dare to call me! A devil? When the devil stands beside you, when the devil stands high and mighty in power and riches whilst you struggle away with what you have?” The cultivators began to glance at one another, it was very clear who Wen Fu was suggesting. There was no clan more rich and powerful than the Jin clan itself.

“You won’t listen?” Wen Fu pondered to herself aloud, the resentment was slowly clawing away at the small sanity she had left. “Then maybe you’ll understand if you watch.” With a click of her fingers the room's darkness transformed into various moving images. Each one more mortifying than the previous, each image was accompanied by the sounds of what occurred. Having witnessed such sights before, Sizhui clasped his hands around his ears, Bichen dropping to the floor alongside his eyes being scrunched shut. He couldn’t witness this again, not again.

“A-Yuan.” Lan Wangji called as he managed to drag himself over, he attempted to shield Sizhui from the sounds and sights which surrounded them yet Sizhui continued to shake. It didn’t matter if he closed his eyes and deafened himself from the world. Those sights had been ingrained inside his mind by Wen Fu herself, her warped perspective of revealing the truth had led to her showing him such sights. In order to provoke the dormant lust for blood she knew Sizhui had she had forced him to witness the massacre of his people. Again and again, their expressions and cries etched into his mind.

“Please… Make it stop…” Sizhui mumbled out, to Lan Wangji’s dismay he could do nothing but merely accompany his son.

“You see now!” Wen Fu screeched in joy. “You see what they did to us! You see the fate we have suffered! Yet you allow them to stand beside you!” Wen Fu was lost in the resentment which coursed through her, she may have intended to murder the Jin’s but now she’d noticed that Jin Ling, the Jin who just escaped her grasp now wore the robes of another sect she had deemed them guilty as well. It was almost instantaneously, Wen Fu appeared in front of Zizhen, seeing the purple robes he donned without a second thought she struck at his waist resulting in his sash falling and the silver bell which hung along the belt to slowly fall, rolling along the floorboards before being collapsed upon by Zizhen who unable to bear the pain immediately careened forwards before curling up into a ball.

“A-Hen!” Jingyi dashed forwards, caring not for the prestigious image a man of the Lan sect should uphold. Crashing to his knees Jingyi quickly began to examine the wound, he couldn’t even bear to look upon Zizhen’s face as his expression would only distract Jingyi more. He quickly began to administer spiritual energy, it proved to be working as blood began to stop seeping onto the floor.

“Please… Just stop… I don’t want this… I didn’t mean for this…” Lan Wangji wasn’t able to hear Sizhui’s words clearly, only able to hear faint murmurs which were intelligible. It was then that a lightbulb appeared to go off inside Sizhui’s mind. Removing himself from his father, Sizhui began to take footsteps towards the cackling madwoman.

“Wen Fu!” The mention of the name Wen put every single cultivator on edge, there wasn’t a person in the room who hadn’t suffered at the hands of the Wen’s.

“Little Wen Yuan, your auntie isn’t here to defend you now. What will you do now that I am able to draw from every single piece of resentment in this room?” Wen Fu had a sharp smile across her mouth, with each passing second each cultivator's hatred increased. The mention of Sizhui being a Wen had only doubled the resentment from the cultivators in the room.

“It’s true, you draw resentment from within this room. But where is the resentment targeted exactly?” Wen Fu wasn’t one to calculate exacts, it was only as she began to contemplate the idea that she realised Sizhui’s reasoning. It was a split second later that Sizhui summoned Bichen to his hand, slamming the blade directly into the floorboards with a burst of spiritual energy. Everyone began to feel as the room's eerie coldness began to develop into a warmth accustomed to that of spiritual energy.

“What is that foolish child doing?” Exclaimed a man of a small Clan, it was Liu Chen who spoke in response. Her clothes dishevelled due to being torn by her sword when she’d aggressively ripped her body away, tearing her clothes more than if someone would have removed the sword for her. Many of the people surrounding her held a grudge, it didn’t help that she was a woman to inherit the title of Clan leader.

“He’s cleansing the resentment, using his own body as a conduit.” Jingyi, still distracted whilst healing his fiancé, spoke in turn. 

“It’s a technique developed by the Lan clan, although there comes a price for using such an incredible technique.” The various Clan leaders looked at one another in confusion, why did the Lan clan withhold such a technique from the rest of the world?

“It is a technique only used once,” Lan Wangji explained, a tear dripping down his cheek. Many had never seen any emotion across the second jade’s face, yet they wondered if the technique was such a burdensome one why had he not stopped him. “The price is one’s life. There is no return upon casting.” It all began to fall into place, Lan Wangji hadn’t stopped him not because he wouldn’t. He couldn’t.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

“Lan Zhan!” Wei Wuxian jolted awake with a start, the last thing he could recall was watching his son with a guqin in hand cowering behind Lan Wangji, whilst the older stood directly before him, eyes pleading and hand grasped loving within his own. Glancing around the room he currently resided in, Wei Wuxian attempted to stand, however quickly collapsed to the floor. After all, it had been several years since he’d last walked. Pulling his body so he sat upright, Wei Wuxian began to glance around the room, it felt familiar in a way. Within seconds he began to recall why it was so familiar. This was the room he’d lived in whilst residing within the Cloud Recesses. He could recall it all. The Wen’s, the siege of the burial mounds, Lan Wangji coming to his and Wen Yuan’s aid, when he had initially awoken years ago. It all came flooding back, alongside it all he recalled the soft voice of someone who had spoken to him, all he could picture was darkness but that voice was there. Muttering soft reassurances, informing him of upcoming events.

“Lan Zhan…” Wei Wuxian began to feel as floods of tears began to escape his eyes, despite how he’d acted Lan Wangji had stuck around for him. He’d sat through all his foolish actions. In an attempt to scramble to his feet, Wei Wuxian reached a small table within the room where there laid an open book, bookmarked by a specific flower. Despite the flower looking familiar, Wei Wuxian tossed the thought to the back of his mind, what intrigued him more was the careful and precise handwriting of a particular Lan.

┏━━━◥◣◆◢◤━━━━┓

Despite being informed that I am to remain in permanent seclusion I have been informed I shall be attending the now heir to the Lan clan. I imagine this is due to brother being unable to cope with his solitude. With grandmaster Lan no longer being here he has no one else to turn to, although I fail to understand how I will be of any assistance. After all, I am no longer of the Lan clan. 

I also fear for Wei Ying, without my ties to the Lan sect there is little I can do if brother or the elders intend to turn him over to the Jiang clan. Although my worries are slightly at ease, if brother or the elders intended to take him they would have done so when I was incapacitated and unable to prove resistant.

Wei Ying has appeared to have made no change in recent months, despite having moved slightly three months back he has failed to move since. I continue to discuss matters with him, despite being unaware if they instate any particular change or even if he can hear me at all I’d continue. With A-Yuan being unaccounted for it is all I can hope to achieve. If Wei Ying fails to awaken by the new year I have plans to take himself and I away from this place, I gave Zhu Lian instructions to take the boy away although I am aware of where her loyalties lie, if I was to investigate her whereabouts I suspect Yunmeng would be the first place to investigate.

I imagine brother will be escorting me out of this building in the next few hours. I can only hope Wei Ying will awaken by the time I return. After all, I still have words I wish for him to hear, I wish for him and A-Yuan to reunite one day. 

Despite it being so many years since I first met him I still replay those days in my mind, of how I could change the events that occurred. Of how I could have made my feelings clearer, perhaps if I had he would not lay here motionless.

┗━━━◢◤◆◥◣━━━━┛

Tears dropped upon the pages of prestigious handwriting, Wei Wuxian couldn’t take it. Every word Lan Wangji had uttered to him whilst asleep he’d been able to hear, each reassurance that he would one day awaken. Each careful movement of his hair that Lan Wangji had adjusted. Each soothing and caring word. Even the days where Lan Wangji had failed to speak but merely remained at his side, Wei Wuxian could recall his calm and paced breaths.

Struggling to his feet, Wei Wuxian was firm in his next few choices, he had to find Lan Wangji. He had to find him and inform him that his feelings had not been one sided, not once. Yet upon arriving at the location Lan Wangji had written within his notes Wei Wuxian was greeted with not the sight of the wondrous Lotus Pier he thought he would never have been able to return to, but an impenetrable wall of resentment surrounding the majority of the complex.

“You!” Wei Wuxian pointed a finger towards a woman in Jiang sect clothing, if he wasn’t mistaken those were the robes he had once wore although they appeared to have been more well cared for than when he had owned them.

“Y-Yes!” The woman stuttered, Qin Xiang had feared for the worst ever since the barrier had appeared trapping all the guests inside. What made her fear even more was that it had been a prolonged period of time and not a single change had occurred, almost as if the ones inside had made no attempt to escape.

“What has occurred here?” Wei Wuxian knew he held no power here, he doubted if anyone was to recognise his face with how well kept he had been. Afterall prior to falling unconscious he had appeared almost as a ghost due to how malnourished he’d been, yet now he held a body of more mass. If he trained himself he imagined he’d have some decent muscle to boot. Despite Wei Wuxian being a man of mystery, Qin Xiang obeyed his command.

“All the guests were inside discussing matters when a clothed man appeared, he began declaring insulting matters that couldn’t be true! I mean honestly where does a person like that get the guts to-”

“Get to the point!” Wei Wuxian snapped, he cared not for details. He cared about getting to Lan Wangji’s side as fast as possible.

“Second young master Nie revealed the cloaked man to be the son of Hanguan-Jun.” A short gasp escaped Wei Wuxian’s lips.

“A-Yuan…” Not wasting a single second longer Wei Wuxian grasped a fist full of Qin Xiang’s robes. “How do I get inside!” Squealing in fear Qin Xiang began to shake her head in fear as she hollered.

“You can’t! It’s made of resentment! All our attempts have resulted in our disciples being repelled and injured!” Releasing Qin Xiang’s robes, a smile crawled across Wei Wuxian’s face.

“Resentment huh?” Taking steps forward he allowed the resentment to crawl across the surface of his pale skin, he could still pass for a ghoul in his skin colour alone. “Hello old friend.” People watched as the pale man sank into the wisps that were resentment.

“Lady Xiang!” A disciple called to the woman who was attempting to readjust her robes. “Who was that man?” Looking somewhat more presentable, Qin Xiang turned to the young disciple.

“If I’m not mistaken that is the late Wei Wuxian.” Drawing her sword, Qin Xiang began to hop aboard.

“Lady Xiang?” The young disciple questioned once more.

“Not a soul is to leave the premises, if the barrier is to fall prior to my return you must ensure everyone stays inside.” Qin Xiang began to rise on her sword slightly by this point.

“May I ask where Lady Xiang is going?” With a scowl across her lips Qin Xiang answered before disappearing.

“I believe sect leader Lan would be most interested in this information.”

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

Wandering through the resentment was harder than Wei Wuxian recalled, probably due to the fact he’d been out of touch of using this skill for sometime. The resentment pushed against him in an attempt to repel him, his mind neither rejected nor complied with the harsh pressure resentment would bring on a person, seeing him as an error of sorts the resentment wished to expel him. Yet Wei Wuxian pressed on, he had to get inside. The two people who meant the most to him were suffering to who knows what extent. Hoping for the stoic face of Lan Wangji to be awaiting him and the smiley face of his adorable son Wei Wuxian pressed through the last threads of resentment. Upon doing so he saw the doors leading to the main hall, sealed tightly shut. Wei Wuxian’s mind trailed back to when he had been so young, these doors separated him between the Jiang’s and himself. Constantly being locked on this side whilst certain matters had been discussed. Never being able to push them open and sit beside them as equals. But as he kicked the doors open the idea of being equals to the Jiang’s was a distant thought in his mind, he had an equal and he lay just beyond this door.

But the sight of Sizhui displaying the effects of a forbidden spell was something he could never have considered witnessing. Having slammed the halls doors open Wei Wuxian had drawn the attention of every individual in the room, further helping Sizhui as each individual began to register the face that was Wei Wuxian all their resentment and anger began to be placed on him.

“Wei Wuxian! How is this possible! You are supposed to be dead!” The Ouyang clan leader began to holler, tired of her uncle’s foolish words Liu Chen punched the man aside, shutting him up. Various gasps resounded yet the girl cared little for it.

“Wei Wuxian!” Liu Chen hollered, she’d always believed the man to be part myth yet him standing before them she couldn’t help but admit he was all the part as horrifying as the books depicted him as. Although the Lan clan robes did help to dispel the fear slightly.

“You cared for the Wen’s. Then help Wen Yuan!” She pointed to Sizhui whose face showed one of pure concentration yet as blood began to seep from his tightly sealed lips he knew he held little time.

“Lan Zhan!” Wei Wuxian hollered, knowing he would have a better grasp of the situation and be in better condition to speak with him in contrast to the foolish old men in the room. Lan Wangji couldn’t comprehend it to begin with, Wei Wuxian was alive and walking amongst them once more. However, pushing any sentimental thoughts aside he quickly began to explain the situation.

“A-Yuan is using a forbidden technique, it draws every last drop of spiritual energy from one’s core until either the resentment is dispelled or the core is destroyed.” Taking the information in Wei Wuxian quickly devised a plan of action, how effective it was to be would be debatable.

“Wish me luck.” With not a second glance Wei Wuxian slid across the room, taking hold of Bichen alongside Yuan. Feeling a cold grasp over his own hands Yuan’s eyes snapped open.

“A-Niang?” Pain was beginning to course through his veins yet Yuan was still able to mutter out that one word.

“You really think I’d let you do something this stupid without helping?” Wei Wuxian smiled as he spoke, grasping at the small remains of spiritual energy which remained within his meridians laid long dormant and began to transfer all the pressure from Yuan to himself. Wei Wuxian doubted if this would work due to his lack of a core, yet as he felt his meridians fill with the spiritual energy he’d sapped from Yuan he knew his plan had worked into forcing the technique onto his own body. Feeling the release of the pain Yuan began to panic.

“A-Niang! No! This will kill you! It’s me they hate!” Despite the crippling pain, Wei Wuxian managed to smile a muster out.

“Heh, I’m the infamous Yiling Patriarch. No-one is hated more than me.” With a swift kick to the stomach Yuan was sent flying into a nearby Jin Ling who had only recently sprung into action upon Wei Wuxian’s arrival and had been tending to Zizhen’s wounds alongside Jingyi. Although the sight of a flying Yuan took his attention.

“You idiot!” Jin Ling hollered to the struggling Yuan now in his arms, tears streaming down his face he began to administer spiritual energy to his meridians as they attempted to not collapse.

“Rulan, let me go! I need to stop him! I need to be the one- I need-” His grip on Yuan increased, Jin Ling couldn’t hold back anymore.

“I need you here! I need you to stop chasing death! I need you here! Right now! Here with me!” Seeing the distraught expression across Jin Ling’s face Yuan no longer had the will to fight against him, the cold metal of the ring which sat on his finger reminding him of the promise from the prior night.

“But what of A-Niang…” Yuan still begged, the sight of Wei Wuxian struggling to cleanse the resentment which now consisted within his body. Not only the resentment of the others within the room, but the technique also attempted to cleanse the resentment which was bound to his soul.

“Wei Ying let go!” Lan Wangji begged, Wen Qing’s words ringing in his ears. He’d just got him back, he wasn’t willing to lose him again.

“Rulan.” A voice echoed beside the two boys, upon realisation it was Zhu Lian. “Yuan.” Her words were that of solemn ones, confused the two continued to watch as Zhu Lian released the neat hairstyle that was hers, alongside of disposing of the piece of cloth which hid her features. It was upon seeing her in this manner that a realisation had struck Jin Ling. The delicate details that were Zhu Lian’s face reminded him of a face he’d only seen in paintings. She placed a gentle kiss atop of the head that was Jin Ling’s. “Take care of one another.” No one could have stopped the woman, she was firm in what she had chosen to make of her life at this moment. Taking a spot directly across from Wei Wuxian Zhu Lian cupped hold of the man’s face, in confusion Wei Wuxian raised his eyes not prepared for the sight which greeted him. Jiang Cheng himself jumped to his feet as well at the realisation.

“A-Xian, you have done so well.” Tears began to well in the pair's eyes, Jiang Cheng quickly began to make his way to the pair. He’d heard what was being discussed around the room, the woman was to give her life up. “Please take care of Rulan for me, and promise to stop hurting A-Cheng. I believe him and your future husband will cause enough drama.” With a delicate smile across her face Zhu Lian, no, Jiang Yanli kicked her younger brother into the arms of her youngest brother. Leaving the pair entangled beside the troublesome pair that was Jin Ling and Yuan.

“I love you all.” Those were the last words Jiang Yanli spoke as she channelled her spiritual energy into Bichen, a blinding light engulfing the room. It was only as people’s eyes began to readjust that they realised what had truly occurred, the supposed late Jiang Yanli had saved not only the life of a young boy but the life of Wei Wuxian.

“A-Jie!” Jiang Cheng cried, scrambling to the now limp body of Jiang Yanli, her face being that of ice. Cradling her unmoving body, Jiang Cheng recalled the events that led to her initial death. Wei Wuxian remained still, he had watched as Jiang Yanli had tossed him aside. He could have done something, he could have dodged. Could have repelled her in his stead. Could have tried to complete the technique quicker. But despite every thought that crossed his mind he knew that this was the correct choice, Jin Ling had lived his entire life without a mother, her husband lay long dead in the ground. Meanwhile Wei Wuxian had a son who had so wholeheartedly relied on him and a man who had promised his heart to him very much alive. Despite having tears rolling down his face he couldn’t prove there was another way which would have been any less devastating to everyone.

“A-Jie! Come back! We need you!” Jiang Cheng continued to wail, not many had seen the man in such a distraught state before, but it was heart-breaking all the same. Wanting not to witness the disaster that was Jiang Cheng right now, Wei Wuxian gestured to Lan Wangji who had managed to make it to his side. Effortlessly Lan Wangji scooped the man into his arms, the pair gazed at Yuan who remained in Jin Ling’s arms but without a second thought Jin Ling had risen to his feet with Yuan in his arms. It was these four who left the hall without another word, but who would object? The people who currently mourned the loss of Jiang Yanli?

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

“I could walk you know?” Yuan muttered as he remained situated in Jin Ling’s arms, the group had come to a stop outside the banks of the Jiang manor. Wei Wuxian lay against a nearby rock whilst Lan Wangji attempted to administer parts of spiritual energy to his meridians in hopes of alleviating some pain.

“You could. But how do I know my fiancé won't throw himself into death's arms again?” The mention of a fiancé caught the attention of both Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian, despite their own unsettled affections for one another they still took Yuan’s health and feelings into consideration first.

“You are engaged?” Lan Wangji was first to speak to everyone's surprise, Lan Wangji was not surprised by this newfound information. In his perspective the boys had been engaged by Lan standards for years.

“Umm, yes…” Yuan who had now turned the shade of beetroot awkwardly revealed his hand to show the ring which matched the one on Jin Ling’s hand. A soft smile displayed on Lan Wangji’s lips, he recognised the rings from Jin Zixuan and Jiang Yanli’s union, he had been present at the wedding after all.

“Your mother would be proud to see you both wearing them.” Jin Ling nodded his head in agreement, despite having met the woman for what was only mere moments Lan Wangji knew his words to be accurate.

“Uncle Wuxian…” Jin Ling began to speak, he never realised how awkward it was for him to speak to his uncle who he’d held in such high respects for such a long time.

“Fuqin.” Wei Wuxian responded, this stumped Jin Ling slightly. “If you are engaged that means I’m your mother in law, so call me Fuqin.” Nodding in understanding, Jin Ling continued to speak.

“Fuqin, I wish to speak to Yuan alone. I beg you forgive me, I shall return him.” With a smile across his lips, Wei Wuxian shooed the pair away; he had desired some alone time with Lan Wangji anyway. Once sure the two boys were far enough out of ear shot Wei Wuxian turned to look at the man he had so many words to speak. Yet as he met eye to eye with Lan Wangji every word he had wanted to utter began to melt away as the crippling fear began to take hold as he glanced at the forehead above his brow. Every rule Lan Wangji had broken for him, everything he had sacrificed for him and yet he was still giving more to him now.

“T-That’s enough. I can’t feel the difference anymore, my core will still need time to recover-”

“That will not happen.” Wei Wuxian was stunned, what he had stated was easily plausible yet Lan Wangji denied it. “Your core will not recover. You have no core.” Fear continued to gripe at Wei Wuxian. As Lan Wangji retracted his hand the warmth of spiritual energy easily escaped Wei Wuxian’s body, with no core to hold the energy it merely dissipated.

“Lan Zha- Wangji, this isn’t something you should joke about. I-” Wei Wuxian attempted to cover up his fear with laughter yet merely failed. Still not realising the pain he stabbed through Lan Wangji’s heart in addressing him in such a formal manner.

“I do not joke.” Lan Wangji said it with such a stern expression that if Wei Wuxian wasn’t struggling emotionally as it was he would have burst out laughing.

“How did you find out…” Wei Wuxian dropped the façade, there was no point in further trying to hide a secret which was already laid bare.

“Wen Qing,” Hitching his breath Lan Wangji carefully clasped Wei Wuxian’s in his own. “Fear not, she didn’t tell me what happened. She merely stated it was gone so administering spiritual energy to you was a waste.” Wei Wuxian released a breath of relief, one he did not realise he was holding. It was only now he began to realise the warmth that Lan Wangji’s hands were bringing to his cold body, he’d instantly fled the Cloud Recesses without a thought to add additional layers to his thin white inner one. It was only as Wei Wuxian registered that he was wearing a thin inner robe that was white did things begin to add up.

“You dressed me in this?” He began to question, feeling the fine cotton that was used to construct the clothes, ever since he’d lived in the Burial mounds he’d only been able to wear clothes of such low quality.

“Mm.”

“You fed me?”

“Mm.”

“Gave me a home?”

“Mm.”

“Why…” Wei Wuxian knew of Lan Wangji’s affections for him, he’d read it in plain writing in Lan Wangji’s own pristine handwriting, he’d witnessed every single act Lan Wangji had done for him. Was these acts not enough proof? “Why throw away your life’s work for someone as foolish as me?” Tears began to race down Wei Wuxian’s cheeks, all the pent up and hidden emotion from years hidden away began to drag their way to the surface.

“Wei Ying is not foolish.” Lan Wangji had not the strength to truly tell Wei Wuxian his intentions, after all he had constantly been pushing the man away ever since they were children. Yet only he himself knew why he had pushed Wei Wuxian away. He had been something new, something foreign, something his frozen heart could not comprehend. Something both his father and uncle had failed to give him in all the years they knew him. What even Xichen couldn’t truly give him.

“I am! I made all the wrong choices and got everyone I love killed!” It was apparent how cold Wei Wuxian still was as he shook not from anger or regret, silently sliding his outer robe off and around Wei Wuxian’s shoulders Lan Wangji helped the man to his feet.

“Not everyone.” With silent placed steps Lan Wangji began to lead Wei Wuxian into the direction he believed his son and now fiancé had wandered in. To both men’s delight they saw as the two boys held in embrace with one another tears streaming down their face exchanged a gentle kiss before embracing once more.

“If not for you, they would not have this.” Lan Wangji was correct he knew this, but as Wei Wuxian pulled them away from the pair to allow them privacy once more he knew deep down that truly this was all his fault. Yet as Wei Wuxian settled himself down on the rock he couldn’t help but recall the fact he’d killed his elder sister twice.

“Lan Wangji. Do you think if it wasn’t for me Shiji- Jiang Yanli would have lived?” Knowing it broke his heart to call his sister in such a way, Lan Wangji adjusted himself beside Wei Wuxian as an arm settled on his shoulder.

“Perhaps. Jiang Yanli had been betrothed into the Jin clan long before any of us were born.” Wei Wuxian pulled the outer robe closer in on himself, not being able to bear the truth of what he’d done. “But she wouldn’t have lived happily.” That got a reaction out of Wei Wuxian, glancing at the man Lan Wangji continued to speak. “If not for your actions Madam Yanli would have married Master Jin without him realising his true affections. Without your actions the Jiang clan may have fallen many years prior. Without your actions we would have lost the war. Without your actions that boy wouldn’t have grown up.” Hearing each word of Lan Wangji’s Wei Wuxian wasn’t able to comprehend what good he had truly managed to achieve. “Without you… I would have long… I would have long turned into a mindless tool for the Lan sect.” Grasping onto those words Wei Wuxian glanced into Lan Wangji’s eyes, taking note of the warmth those golden eyes granted him.

“Guess I did some good, huh?” Despite the tears in his eyes, Wei Wuxian still attempted to smile at the man, receiving a gentle smile in turn.

“Mm.” Realising he had nothing to hold himself back anymore Wei Wuxian began to speak.

“I- I read your journal…” It was a confession he felt would easily allow Lan Wangji to gather where Wei Wuxian was going. Lan Wangji merely snaked his hand from Wei Wuxian’s shoulder down to his waist without the smaller noticing. “It was very thoughtful, to know that you… That you watched over me all those years…” Lan Wangji merely nodded in acknowledgment, he began to wonder if Wei Wuxian had been able to hear him in all those years?

“Also you still didn’t answer my question.” Wei Wuxian muttered as he fidgeted with the end of his now not so white robes.

“Which question?” Lan Wangji offered in response, watching as Wei Wuxian’s hands carefully trailed up his body into a crossed formation.

“That song. I’ve heard you sing it countless times and it appears Yuan is aware of it as well, so what is its name?”

“Wangxian.” It appeared Yuan and Jin Ling had returned by this point, both boys looking slightly flustered due to whatever they had been doing prior.

“Also apologies for interrupting whatever this is but we have to get moving, Zewu-Jun has arrived.” The mention of the Lan sect leader left a sense of unease amongst the group. Jumping quickly to his feet Wei Wuxian quickly brushed past the two boys to peer into the distance of where a gathering crowd of people were beginning to form. Within the centre was Lan Xichen himself who appeared to be directing various people.

“We need to leave, now.” Drawing Bichen from its sheath, Yuan handed it back to his father.

“I believe this is yours.” Taking hold of his long lost sword Lan Wangji felt as the dormant strength of Bichen rose to life. Yet, something felt different. Almost as if something has been changed. Lan Wangji shook the feeling aside, he would have to deal with that later.

“Let us leave.” The group began to take steps forward yet Jin Ling remained in place, allowing his hand to slip from Yuan’s grasp.

“Rulan?” Yuan questioned, the lack of warmth was easily noticeable.

“I can’t leave.” The remaining pair turned around to face the young Jin, easily able to suspect his reason for staying. “If I leave then the Jin sect will befall onto one of my uncle’s.” Beginning to add up the picture Yuan knew Jin Ling was correct, if one of Jin Guangshan’s affair children were to take up the mantle of Jin heir chaos would ensue.

“I know.” Yuan nodded his head in understanding, he couldn’t take Jin Ling away from something so important. But part of his heart wished he could, he’d been separated from him for so long. They’d not even spent a full day alongside one another yet there were to part once more for who knows how long. Could he really stand that? To be parted from Jin Ling for months? Years? Decades?

Jin Ling wrapped his arms around the motionless Yuan, Jin Ling had a good idea of what was circulating around his mind. Afterall how could he not be thinking the same?

“We won’t be apart for long,” Carefully cupping Yuan’s face in his left hand, Jin Ling connected both of their lips in a short kiss. “I promise.” Nodding in agreement Yuan turned to follow his parents who were merely watching the pair.

Jin Ling too turned away, he couldn’t bear to watch as Yuan departed away. He knew there were many things he could have said to make him stay, but in the end they were the ones who raised him. He was just merely someone who arrived in his life only a few years ago. As for Jingyi and Zizhen, he would have to explain that any reunion would have to wait.

Extending an arm, Wei Wuxian enveloped Yuan in a hug, watching the retreating back that was Jin Ling’s. Whilst hugging Yuan who looked ready to break down into tears at any second Wei Wuxian glanced at Lan Wangji who also held a face of concern. Finally releasing the boy from the hug, Wei Wuxian cupped Yuan’s face.

“They will be fine.”

Chapter Text

“Your father and I will be fine.” Shock quickly poured into Yuan’s eyes at hearing such words. “Go to him, we will be fine.” Yuan grasped hold of Wei Wuxian’s wrists by this point, shock still traversing through himself.

“But… A-Niang… A-Die… It’s been so long… How can I just leave you… What if you're caught?” Moving his hands free from Yuan's grasp, Wei Wuxian moved to rustle Yuan’s hair.

“I’m the Yiling Patriarch. The only reason they caught me last time was because I let them, plus I’ve got Lan Zhan here to help me.” With a soft smile Wei Wuxian released Yuan.

“Go. Before your chance is gone.” Catching Wei Wuxian off guard Yuan entrapped him within a tight hug, the older easily returned it. Extending a hand to Lan Wangji, Wei Wuxian dragged the man to join their group hug, the Lan having dropped his sword in the sudden movement. The trio remained in that way for a few seconds before Wei Wuxian pulled away allowing the father and son a second. It was then the pair parted, holding one another's hands.

“Promise me you will be safe.” Lan Wangji’s grip on the boy's hands tightened, he’d always had Yuan near him at some point ever since adopting him. The thought of having to leave him to fend for himself scared him slightly.

“I will A-Die, please keep A-Niang safe.” Lan Wangji nodded in agreement, he wasn’t willing to lose Wei Wuxian a third time.

“I want to give you something.” Lan Wangji proposed, summoning Bichen to his hand he muttered something under his breath before stating the name ‘Wen Yuan’. Bichen appeared to glow for a few seconds before simmering down once more. He extended the blade towards his son with a tender smile to his face.

“I can’t! It’s yours.” Yuan attempted to push the sword back yet Lan Wangji’s stance was firm.

“It’s yours. I transferred ownership over.” Yuan eventually grasped hold of the sword, its weight felt less than it usually had, probably due to accepting his spiritual energy easier than it usually would.

“Give me your wrist.” Lan Wangji finally instructed as he extended his hand, Yuan immediately did as instructed. Watching in silence as Lan Wangji effortlessly untied his headband from his head and began to wrap it around Yuan’s wrist.

“You’ve done this before…” Yuan began to mutter, the warm smile on Lan Wangji’s face appeared to increase somehow.

“I’m glad you remember. It was the Lan sect method of adopting a child.” Wei Wuxian watched in awe as Lan Wangji continued to ensure the ribbon wouldn’t fall from their son’s wrist. He felt regretful that he missed all the important years of Yuan’s life, but as he contemplated it more he realised he didn’t need to be. Lan Wangji had been there for the both of them.

“Why are you giving this to me?” Yuan questioned, raising the headband to the light which passed through the few leaves above.

“A reminder. So you don’t forget where you came from.” Lowering his wrist once more Yuan nodded his head in understanding.

“If you head towards the lakes there should be an old house, my sword and some money, me and Zhu Lian… “ Yuan really hadn’t had the chance to really take in the fact she was gone, in his mind she was merely out of sight. Listening in as she always was. Shaking his head, Yuan continued. “We never used, please help yourself to anything in the house.” His parents nodded in agreement to his words.

“Now go, Wei Yuan, or you really will miss Rulan.” Wei Wuxian knew he probably would be attacked on sight if anyone else heard him call Jin Ling such a name, but it was the name he had chosen and knew Yanli would be angry with him if he called him anything different. Yuan was stunned his father had called him Wei Yuan, it wasn’t until later on he would realise that had been the only gift Wei Wuxian could give him upon their parting.

With a final smile Yuan disappeared into the direction Jin Ling had previously departed in. Lan Wangji snaked an arm around Wei Wuxian’s shoulder, it wasn’t long until sniffles could be heard from the man.

“He will be happy.” Lan Wangji attempted to console Wei Wuxian who was aggressively trying to wipe away his tears.

“I know.” Wei Wuxian attempted to walk in the opposite direction before he was pulled back by Lan Wangji, he had one thing he wished to do before they began their journey elsewhere. Pulling the smaller closer he quickly captured their lips together. His ears, a scarlet red Lan Wangji, quickly separated themselves before walking away.

“Hah,” Wei Wuxian, who was now a rosy red himself, stood in both confusion and shock. “You can’t just do that and walk away!” Wei Wuxian exclaimed, adding a quick run to his step to keep up with the man, a smirk across his lips. He was sure wherever they ended up he would be happy. After all these years he’d finally found someone who was happy with him, despite the state he’d befallen.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

Jin Ling hadn’t been able to return to the others yet, crouched beneath the branches of an old tree Jin Ling had curled himself up into a ball, attempting to hold back tears he didn’t realise he had wanted to cry. He’d not even fought for him to stay, he’d just allowed him to leave with a simple goodbye. He’d asked for nothing to remember him by, the only proof he’d spent anytime with him were the marks which trailed beneath his robes, but even they were to disappear after long.

“Rulan!” Came the distant shout of someone, Jin Ling wasn’t prepared to deal with anyone at the current moment, curling in on himself even more, his lips curled as he spat an insult.

“Fuck off!” The incoming footsteps of the person continued to increase in volume, knowing this person wasn’t to relent Jin Ling raised his head to spit another unkind set of words yet was unable to as he was tackled into a hug by the only person he wished to see. Falling into one another's embrace the pair managed to roll away from the roots of the old tree and into a slightly more open patch of land. It was when the pair came to a stop Jin Ling realised he’d been pinned beneath Wei Yuan who still trapped him within a hug.

“Yuan, what are you doing here! I thought you left with your parents?” It was a few seconds before Yuan raised his head to lock eyes with Jin Ling, within Wei Yuan’s eyes only affection for the one before him was shown.

“I was, but A-Niang made me realise I’d made the wrong choice.” Wei Yuan slowly adjusted himself backwards in order for Jin Ling to be able to sit upright. The pair was unable to look elsewhere whilst locked eyes with one another, unaware of the group of people who had begun to tread silently around. “Afterall, I have a promise to keep.” Wei Yuan took hold of Jin Ling’s left hand which still housed the other ring which paired to the one Wei Yuan himself wore.

“Yuan, I-” Jin Ling didn’t even have the opportunity to properly reciprocate his feelings on the matter when various swords were pointed at Wei Yuan’s neck.

“Young master Jin.” Came the calm collected voice of none other than Lan Xichen himself, Jin Ling had never expected the man himself to come looking for them, he always portrayed him as a man who ordered and sat back not taking action. “You're safe now, no need to fear this Wen.” Wei Yuan remained frozen in position, if looks could kill he would have skewered Lan Xichen through a million times. This man, the man who had helped raise him, who had praised him, who he had once looked up to now held a sword to his neck. Holding his life between his fingers.

“Zewu-Jun, release the swords at once!” Jin Ling declared, he knew he didn’t sit at a high enough rank to be ordering Lan Xichen of all people, but the small line of blood that began to run down Wei Yuan’s neck struck fear into him.

“You're confused, I understand.” Lan Xichen began as he moved towards the pair, yet he froze in his steps as he watched Jin Ling himself draw his sword and place it against his own neck. Even if it wasn’t for Wei Yuan who remained seated on his legs, Jin Ling would have refused to move.

“Take one more step or refuse to follow my instructions and it’ll be you who brings my dead body back to my uncle. And believe me he is not a forgiving man.” Knowing if he was to kill himself in this moment Jin Ling was sure it would drive Jiang Cheng over the edge, he’d not only lost his sister once more but rediscovered the brother he praised so dearly had been alive all these years and refused to speak with him, he’d allowed him to believe he’d been dead all these years. Jin Ling’s death? Would most likely either drive him insane or to his own early grave. Both resulted in an empty seat within the Jiang sect, this would leave not only the Jiang sect compromised but the Jin sect as well. This was something he knew Zewu-Jun would not risk, not for a second. Raising his hands in retreat, Zewu-Jun retreated a few steps.

“Remove. The. Swords.” With no alternative option Zewu-Jun signalled for the various men to remove their swords from the circle they’d formed around the boy's throat. Falling almost instantly Wei Yuan wrapped his arms around Jin Ling, the boy now able to rest on his knees continued to hug the petrified Wei Yuan with his left arm whilst his right arm was poised with the sword aimed directly at Lan Xichen himself. Wei Yuan was terrified out of his mind, he’d nearly thrown his life away only a short while ago but as he sat there with the swords poised against his neck he felt only petrifying fear course through his veins. His life had nearly been cut short here and there just because he’d made the choice to follow his heart instead of sticking by his parents' side. 

“Young master Jin, why must you be against us? We mean to harm no person here.” Jin Ling felt as his blood boiled in fury, all this power these people held and they planned to use it against an innocent person.

“You say you plan to harm no person here yet why is his blood on my robes? You may plan to not harm any person but you don’t see him as a person, as human! Do you?” Wei Yuan curled even closer to Jin Ling at hearing such words, he had known of the consequences that would arise once it was made apparent he was a Wen; it still scared him.

“Of course not, the blood of a Wen courses through his veins. He must be eliminated.” Zewu-Jun uttered the words with such a happy lilt to his voice Jin Ling was sure the man had gone insane.

“How- How can you say that! He was your nephew!” The thudding of various other footsteps arriving to join the group put Jin Ling on edge but once he realised it was none other than Lan Jingyi and Liu Chen he relaxed ever so slightly.

“You found them!” Lan Jingyi hollered in relief, yet as he took in the scene more he realised the situation was a more complex one than he’d initially presumed. “Zewu-Jun, what’s happening…” Lan Jingyi attempted to take steps forward yet was stopped by none other than Liu Chen.

“Young master Lan, they don’t see him as human.” People did not give Liu Chen enough credit, the girl may have been younger and had less experience than everyone who surrounded her yet she was able to distinguish a complex situation such as this in a mere glance. “In their eyes, he’s defending a monster.” It broke Lan Jingyi’s heart as he witnessed Wei Yuan curled inwards towards Jin Ling, he looked like that of a wounded animal seeking comfort from the closest thing he had available.

“Zewu-Jun stand down!” Lan Jingyi hollered, taking steps towards the man he deemed the main problem currently. Lan Jingyi may not be the brightest of all people but even he was able to solve problems if he wished.

“I’m afraid that isn’t possible. Wen Yuan must die, he is a cursed beast.” Jin Ling’s hand began to shake in his fury, he grew tired of people calling the one he loved a creature.

“I’m not…” Called the muffled voice of Wei Yuan, his face pressed into Jin Ling’s chest, it had barely made it to Jin Ling’s ears. “I’m not a monster…” Jin Ling could feel as the tears of Wei Yuan’s began to fall onto his leg, he wished he could drop his sword in that instant, to properly reassure Wei Yuan that everything would be okay. But that was impossible, the only chance he had of ensuring his love’s safety was to be within the reach of his uncle. Not only would he defend the one Jin Ling values as a lover, but being the son of Wei Wuxian would also boost his odds. Thankfully, the Ouyang sect had taught strategic disciples.

“Okay, I think this is enough.” With a sharp whistle Liu Chen not only captured the attention of all the people within the vicinity she managed to inform her older cousin who had happened to make himself comfortable in the higher branches upon his recent arrival. The quick use of various talismans within his arsenal allowed for a simple smokescreen to be deployed across the small open area, by the time Lan Xichen had been able to dispel it with a swipe of his own sword the pair in the centre had disappeared, not only that but all the younger heirs had managed to flee. Lan Xichen had lost his chance to dispose of Wei Yuan whilst he could still paint him as a villain.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

“How did you manage to find us?” Jin Ling managed to spit out as he carried not only himself but Wei Yuan on his sword, the group of the five of them had taken flight on their swords as the most direct course of escape.

“It was simple really-” Lan Jingyi attempted to answer yet the true mastermind behind the plan actually spoke.

“We knew you wouldn’t travel too far, after all you can’t abandon your sect. With how attached you are to one another it was easy to assume you’d return together. As for where you went it was really a stroke of luck, I knew you wouldn’t be near any central routes so it left everywhere else.” Liu Chen explained as she hugged her cousin as if her life depended on it, to say Liu Chen had never ridden a sword in her life before was a lie in itself. Although she much preferred to fly at a much lower height at a much slower speed, the current situation didn’t allow for such liberties.

“We have to get to my uncle.” Jin Ling hollered over to the rest who looked confused by such a statement.

“Are you stupid!” Lan Jingyi hollered.

“You must have hit your head.” Liu Chen uttered afterwards.

“Sect leader Jiang wants the head of whoever withheld the information that Zhu Lian was Lady Jiang. That includes Sizhui.” Jiang Zizhen added, he’d witnessed first hand the rage that was Jiang Cheng when he’d finally released the body of Jiang Yanli.

“He didn’t know!” Jin Ling paused his sword mid flight, Wei Yuan was reluctant to defend himself with his head still buried in Jin Ling’s shoulder as he now stood behind him whilst he flew. “Neither of us knew! She walked over to the both of us just before she ran over to Wei Wuxian.” Jiang Yanli’s final words began to pass through Jin Ling’s mind.

‘Take care of one another’

Jin Ling didn’t have the time to mourn her death right now. Yes, he should have been one of the people in absolute pieces by this point but he refused to let her final words be in vain. He would protect and care for Wei Yuan despite the difficulties.

“I won’t let her words be in vain!” Before anyone realised it Jin Ling had shot off in the direction of Lotus Pier once more, he didn’t believe he was prepared for a fight with his uncle this soon but it was either get his uncle on his side so he would also defend Wei Yuan or Jin Ling would be sharing a grave and not a bed with Wei Yuan.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

“There has been no sight of any of the heir’s.” A Jiang disciple bowed in shame to the Jiang sect leader, fear coursing through his veins as he could hear the sparks from Zidian began to crackle loudly.

“What are you doing here then? Go find them!” With another bow the Jiang disciple disappeared without a trace, Qin Xiang was cowering just outside the main hall's doors, too afraid to face the wrath that was Jiang Cheng.

“Qin Xiang!” Although when summoned in a manner such as that she was no longer privileged enough to hide away any longer. With a bright smile to her face Qin Xiang entered the hall praying to every god she knew of that this hall would not be where she was fated to perish.

“Sect leader Jiang.” Qin Xiang bowed in hopes she could curry some favour with the enraged man.

“Has there been any news from the search groups?” Qin Xiang regretfully shook her head, hearing as Zidian sparked sent fear coursing through her veins.

“The groups have yet to report back. Even Zewu-Jun hasn’t returned.” Jiang Cheng mulled over the mention of Lan Xichen, the man who had been too busy to attend the lecture himself so had instead sent the new Lan heir who had little preparation and the no longer Lan, Lan Wangji. Something felt suspicious in Jiang Cheng’s opinion, in all honesty he could care less of what incidents the Lan’s got up to, however the sudden arrival of his supposed dead brother dressed in Lan robes nonetheless was something even he couldn’t portray as out of sorts. Also the sudden arrival of Lan Xichen when nobody had sent for him, he’d arrived not long after when the dome of resentment had been dismissed. None of the Lan’s inside could have sent for him, so who had?

“If I may…” Qin Xiang began to utter to Jiang Cheng who merely gave a grunt of agreement. “I believe punishment is required…” Qin Xiang swallowed a gasp of air before she was able to continue. “For young master Jin.” The sound of Zidian crackling even louder this time could be heard, Jiang Cheng was in no fit state to be discussing the pain of his sister's side of the family. Especially punishing the son she never had the opportunity to raise.

“Why do you believe A-Rulan deserves punishment?” Jiang Cheng stalked over from his seat at the head of the hall, anger clear on his features. Yet if someone was to look closer the clear signs of tears were still very visible under his eyes, although nobody could look the Jiang sect leader in the eyes for long enough to take notice. “That it is for you to decide if my flesh and blood should suffer?” Qin Xiang began to cower in fear of the Jiang, fumbling to her knees in a complete bow.

“Of course not. I was merely suggesting such a thing…” Despite her implications Qin Xiang had lit a spark to the fury that was Jiang Cheng’s anger.

“Your mother is living, yes?” Jiang Cheng wound Zidian into a loop within his hands, the electricity from Zidian easily gliding over his skin.

“Yes, my mother lives within Lanling with my father.” Qin Xiang did not like discussing her parents with the Jiang sect leader on the account of his current mood.

“How would you feel if you were to watch the life drain from your mothers eyes before you,” Jiang Cheng began to circle the woman, each step resounding in the bowing woman’s ears. “Would a cry be ripped from your throat? Would you endlessly cry? Would you seal yourself away from everyone?” Jiang Cheng’s footsteps came to a halt as he loomed behind the woman. “Or perhaps, you’d rather join them?” The sparks of Zidian rang loudly in Qin Xiang’s ears, the thought of her life ending here and there was the only thing that could course through her mind. Just as she was to mutter out a feeble excuse the main hall's doors slammed open.

“Uncle!” Jin Ling hollered as he jumped off his sword, embracing his uncle who easily returned the action. Jiang Cheng knew that Jiang Yanli’s sudden reappearance had harmed not only himself but Jin Ling as well, but a sudden embrace like this was something he was not expecting.

“A-Rulan, are you hurt?” Jiang Cheng swiftly pulled his nephew away from himself, inspecting his robes for any sign of injury, all he was able to deduce was a slight grass stain on the edges of his robes, almost as if he’d fallen somewhere. He could also see the faint damage of skin against Jin Ling’s neck, like a sword had been held to his throat.

“Uncle, I’m fine. It’s-”

“Jin Ling!” Came the quick cry of Lan Jingyi as the sound of clashing swords could be heard, swivelling his head as fast as his body would allow him. Jin Ling was greeted with the sight of all three of his friends attempting to fend off cultivators who looked to be twice their age. Realising he’d merely leapt off his sword and left Wei Yuan to himself with Suihua dismissed on the ground. The next few moments occurred so quickly nobody could interfere. Jiang Zizhen began to fall as his injury began to worsen in his overexertion of his already damaged body, followed by Lan Jingyi’s attention becoming split allowing the cultivator to take a sweep at his legs whilst Liu Chen managed to take the other two cultivators by surprise and swept them backwards the cultivator she had been fending against took this opportunity to drive a kick to her stomach sending her flying away and giving himself the opportunity to strike at Wei Yuan who was completely lost within his mind. Or so everyone thought until Bichen was swiftly drawn from its sheath, easily parrying the cultivators' attack. Although in the sudden draw Wei Yuan hadn’t been able to prevent the cultivators hand being injured in the parry, granted it was a superficial wound that would easily heal. 

But when a dog bares its fangs, it is to be put down.

“Yuan!” Jin Ling hollered, immediately trying to be at his side. But Jiang Cheng wouldn’t allow his only living blood to die at the hands of something like this.

“A-Rulan. What are you doing?” Jiang Cheng’s voice dripped with weakness, the Wen’s had taken everything from him yet their blood still lived. In this impossible child which stood before him with blood on his blade.

“Uncle let me go!” Jin Ling pulled and pulled at Jiang Cheng’s vice-like grasp, yet it made no difference. The cultivators had begun to circle around Wei Yuan by this point, but Wei Yuan wouldn’t defend himself again. The dark contrast of crimson blood slowly sliding down the beautiful white that was Bichen was leaving too many twisted memories in its wake, the sight of human blood spilt like it was worthless water.

“Please! I can’t lose him again!” The trio remained on the floor, watching as Wei Yuan was continually surrounded by more and more cultivators who rushed past them. They didn’t even care when they trampled over Liu Chen’s hand, most likely breaking or dislocating various bones.

“Uncle Wanyin!” Jin Ling screamed, tears in his eyes as he begged for Jiang Cheng’s mercy. “I love him! Please don’t do this to me!” In that moment it was not Jin Ling, Jiang Cheng saw before him, it was the faint memory of his mother like he would sometimes see in Jin Ling. The perfect memory of Wei Wuxian and his late sister back when they had attended the archery competition that year came to mind.

┏━━━◥◣◆◢◤━━━━┓

“Jiang Cheng, come on~” Wei Wuxian whined, his brother had confined him to sitting in a seat, Jiang Cheng sat front and centre as the sect leader, Jiang Yanli sat to his left, whilst Wei Wuxian failing as he was sat to Jiang Cheng’s right as his right hand man.

“No. You always end up causing problems, we cannot afford to look bad at this event.” With a pout across his feature Wei Wuxian resigned to sitting silently as everyone else continued to file into the room. Jiang Cheng believed he’d finally got through Wei Wuxian’s thick skull with how quietly he was behaving, although that was very short lived as when the Lan sect began to file inside none other than Lan Wangji himself made an appearance.

“Lan Zhan!” Wei Wuxian called to the man, Lan Wangji turned his head to acknowledge the man’s shout. Yet as he returned to face his clan his uncle and brother held an obvious disdain. Lan Wangji had resolved himself to not show such curiosity to Wei Wuxian in front of them again. Unbeknownst to Wei Wuxian who believed him to be his usual self. The surrounding guests began to whisper amongst themselves by this point, why had Wei Wuxian addressed the high and mighty Hanguan-Jun in such a familiar manner?

Jiang Yanli quickly took notice of the stress Jiang Cheng had been put under by this point, thinking it better to half his problems as she rose from her seat.

“A-Xian, how about we take a walk?” Enthralled by the opportunity to leave this place, Wei Wuxian was on his feet in a matter of seconds.

“A-Li…” Jiang Cheng whined, although he was fine being left alone he was aware of his sister's habit of indulging Wei Wuxian’s whims when she desired. Placing a hand on her brother's shoulder Jiang Yanli whispered.

“It’s just till everyone arrives, if we aren’t back by then come fetch us.” Jiang Cheng nodded in agreement, he was sure the pair wouldn’t wander far, after all his sister was too weak to withstand anything with the woods that currently surrounded them, Wei Wuxian wasn’t foolish enough to endanger their sister.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

“Jiejie, why do we have to attend such a boring speech beforehand?” Wei Wuxian whined, with his arms folded behind his head as he walked. Jiang Yanli merely laughed at her younger brother's antics, he may have been twenty but he still acted like a child at times.

“It is tradition. I’m sure it won’t be too long of a speech, after all I’m sure you all intend to rush into the forests with your swords as soon as possible.” Wei Wuxian flinched at the mention of his sword, Suibian still remained within his room in Lotus Pier, although heavily hidden away under papers and papers of work. He truly couldn’t bear to look at it some days.

“Yeah… I guess you're right.” Jiang Yanli didn’t fail to notice his delayed response, but knew even if she questioned her brother on such a topic he would fail to answer.

“Jiejie, look over there!” Wei Wuxian hollered as he spotted a group of small children playing amongst themselves with small wooden swords. Without a second word Wei Wuxian disappeared in the direction of the children, as soon as the children laid eyes on him their expressions gleaned with a newfound joy. Wei Wuxian might have been the scary Yiling Patriarch to all those in the hall, yet to these children right here and now he was their saviour who saved them from a frightening war. Talking amongst the young children, Wei Wuxian appeared more relaxed than Jiang Yanli had seen him in a while, it put her at ease slightly knowing that childlike joy still existed within her brother.

“Mistress Jiang.” Came the monotonous voice of none other than Lan Wangji himself, Jiang Yanli wasn’t surprised Lan Wangji had met with them away from the peering eyes of his family.

“Hanguan-Jun, what do I owe the pleasure?” Lan Wangji placed himself beside Jiang Yanli, watching Wei Wuxian just as she was. Watching the small joy Wei Wuxian managed to have across his face.

“Wei Ying.” Was Lan Wangji’s response, Jiang Yanli merely muffled a laugh in response, catching Lan Wangji’s attention.

“My apologies Hanguan-Jun,” Jiang Yanli slowly turned to face the ice cold jade with warmth across her features. “I’m afraid it just feels strange to know others care for A-Xian.” Lan Wangji raised an eyebrow in confusion, Wei Wuxian had always been liked by many. Although now that number had diminished ever since his demonic cultivation he was still respected.

“Ever since A-Xian’s… Change. I have feared for him. I may not be a cultivator but I am privy to rumours, all of them.” Lan Wangji bowed his head in understanding, due to living in the Cloud Recesses his access to many rumours had been limited. The few he did hear upon carrying out exorcisms or trips into Gusu’s main town were not exactly the kindest of ones he’d heard, especially a certain one between Jiang Yanli and Wei Wuxian.

“Wei Ying is oblivious?” Lan Wangji began to question, Wei Wuxian was still blind to the fact Lan Wangji was standing beside his sister.

“He is unable to process them currently.” Lan Wangji felt as his heart strings were tugged at the mention of this, Wei Wuxian was struggling whilst he was unable to do anything.

“Wei Ying shouldn’t suffer.” Jiang Yanli nodded in agreement with the man’s words but knew they were unable to make such a statement true. Lan Wangji was an idol to many in the cultivation world, if he was to create even a dent within his image any reputation he had would crumble in an instant. Jiang Yanli was known as merely the sister to the Jiang sect leader, nobody would listen to her opinions.

“I believe there is time before the events are to start, perhaps yourself and A-Xian would like to take a stroll?” Lan Wangji was grateful to the elder Jiang for assisting him in such matters, nodding his head in agreement. Lan Wangji watched the elegant Jiang Yanli wander towards her brother with a content smile to her face and explain the current situation. Although Wei Wuxian was stubborn to begin with he continued to take not so sneaky glances at Lan Wangji, a few minutes passed by before Wei Wuxian appeared to nod his head in agreement. It wasn’t long till Jiang Yanli was bidding the pair goodbye as they began to take a short stroll just as Jiang Yanli and Wei Wuxian had been doing only minutes ago.

“A-Li!” Came the younger voice of Jiang Yanli’s brother, watching as the man nearly broke his neck as he swivelled his head in search of Wei Wuxian.

“Where is he?” Jiang Cheng explained, worry coursing through his voice.

“Himself and second young master Lan left a few minutes ago for a stroll.” Believing Wei Wuxian couldn’t be trusted alone, Jiang Cheng attempted to take off in search for his elder brother, but was stopped by Jiang Yanli’s firm grip against his wrist. She may not have been a cultivator but she was still able to reign in her brothers when needed.

“A-Cheng, allow him this. You know he doesn’t have much.” Jiang Cheng glanced between the path ahead and his elder sister, a stern but soft expression across her features.

“But A-Li…” Jiang Yanli was firm in her stance, she couldn’t take this small moment away from her younger brother, he’d suffered so much in her eyes. She did not know of the extent of his suffering but knew it was too great to discuss, this simple act was the least she could give him.

“I love him, I love both of you. So please let him go.” Jiang Cheng relented, he could never deny his sister what she desired. Deciding it was best to return before everyone began the two siblings began a slow wander, Jiang Cheng wouldn’t realise it but that was one of the final few moments he had between just him and Jiang Yanli.

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Jiang Yanli’s words being a distant echo managed to convince Jiang Cheng to release his nephew, in a breakneck speed Jin Ling was deflecting blade after blade as it aimed for its trajectory. It was only as a blade sliced at the boy’s shoulder cutting through his clothes as well as slicing through the top layers of skin releasing a thin trail of blood did Jiang Cheng react.

“Enough!” The thunderous crack of Zidian was enough to cause every cultivator in the room to freeze in place. Without a second to waste Jin Ling quickly dragged Wei Yuan away, it may have looked cowardly hiding behind his uncle, but Jin Ling wasn’t taking any chances where Wei Yuan was concerned.

“Sect leader Jiang, that boy is a cursed beast!” Came the cry of a male cultivator.

“A beast that bears its fangs has to be put down!” Cried another cultivator, Jin Ling’s anger continued to seethe as Wei Yuan was continually called non-human. Jiang Cheng was baffled at the continuous shouts and cries from the cultivators before him, they’d not only trampled across the children attempting to drag themselves to safety but tried to cut his nephew’s life short when he’d been trying to defend this so-called cursed beast.

“He is not- Yuan?” Jin Ling had been ready to defend Wei Yuan, but the boy had merely placed Bichen in Jin Ling’s hands, before standing between Jiang Cheng and the murderous mob.

“I am not a cursed beast.” There was no anger, nor hatred in his tone. It sounded almost like the Lan Sizhui of the past when he had been declaring a fact to an individual. “My name is Wei Yuan, son of Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji. The son of a proclaimed devil and saviour.” Jin Ling wanted nothing better than to drag him away from where he stood, to hide him away behind himself and Jiang Cheng, but when he’d attempted so Jiang Cheng had stopped him. Wei Yuan had to do this, he’d hidden himself away from the world for too many years. It was time he truly admitted who he truly was, not just to the world but also himself. Jiang Cheng had not a single doubt that Wei Yuan was the son of Wei Wuxian, the sight of Wei Wuxian having done a similar thing years ago when he was a mere teenager stood before him.

“My uncle was the Ghost General Wen Ning, my aunt Wen Qing, the woman who could heal any injury no matter how close to death.” Everything Wei Yuan had discovered about himself throughout his life began to spill as he spoke. “I was a child of war. Displaced from my parents due to the unforgiving nature of an Ouyang cultivator,” The pair of cousins exchanged glances between one another, this was something they had never known. Yet as Wei Yuan glanced at them not a single piece of anger was held in his eyes, only the concern of a close friend. “Ripped from the only family I knew, the only place I had ever been able to call home dashed to ashes under your very feet. Watching as the very people I knew, who I had grown to love and care for slashed down in an instant. Watching as the light left their eyes, watched as their very souls departed whilst I stayed behind.” Wei Yuan’s hands shook as he spoke, watching as each cultivator slowly began to lower their swords hearing such a horror befall a child of barely eighteen. “Handed title after title. Wen Yuan, the blood of a hound, a Lan disciple, the son of Lan Wangji, the Lan heir, the mistake of Hanguan-Jun, the traitor, the late Lan heir, the forgotten child, the cursed beast, a monster!” There were so many names he had been called behind closed doors, names he couldn't bring himself to utter before people such as this. Certain names he’d cherish with all his heart, names they didn’t deserve to hear. “No longer will I accept the names people have given me! My name is Wei Yuan, you shall all remember it. For if you wish to strike me here and now,” Raising his arm to reveal the pristine Lan headband wrapped around his wrist, showing he truly was the son of Lan Wangji whilst he held this headband. “Then you shall strike down Wei Yuan, not the cursed beast!” Each cultivator's weapon had dropped to the ground by this point, having felt the agony of this boy. He’d experienced so much distortion by his name alone. Realising he’d managed to force everyone to abandon attacking him, Wei Yuan turned to face Jin Ling, a smile across his features. Jin Ling couldn’t bear to wait any longer, pulling himself from Jiang Cheng’s grasp, the man holding an expression of respect and acknowledgment, Wei Yuan had managed to do what his brother had not. Jin Ling threw himself around Wei Yuan, arms wrapped around his shoulders with tears begging to fall from his lashes. Rubbing circles in the younger's back, Wei Yuan honestly couldn’t believe it himself, he was alive. Before Wei Yuan could realise what had occurred Jin Ling had cupped his face, pulling him into a short but meaningful kiss. The trio who had managed to prop themselves up against the wall despite their agony held muffled laughs between themselves, this was something they knew had been awaited for a long time. Jiang Cheng was shocked, but relieved knowing Jin Ling found someone he cherished just as much as Jiang Yanli had cherished Jin Zixuan.

“I love you.” Jin Ling had finally spoken, he realised he’d declared it so suddenly earlier but not informed Wei Yuan himself.

“I- I’m sorry.” Wei Yuan shoved Jin Ling to the floor, to everyone's shock and surprise. Jiang Cheng was prepared to throttle the boy. But as an arrow pierced through Wei Yuan’s heart everything began to still. It was almost as if everything occurred in slow motion, the collapse of Wei Yuan as he spat up a mouthful of blood. His silhouette soon replaced by the shooter, his arm still extended as the string had slipped through his fingers. The honourable Lan Xichen, with not a spec of blood across his robes yet his hands stained with innumerable amounts of blood.

Not all romances end with a happy ending, as star crossed lovers are fated to fall.

Chapter Text

“Sect leader Jin.” It was barely sunrise yet people were pounding on Jin Ling’s door requiring him to solve some other problem. With minimal choice Jin Ling swung his legs from the comforts of his bed to open the door.

“Yes?” The servant quickly began to explain the issue, a variety of Jin elders were adamant on changing another set of laws within the Jin sect, specifically to do with the amount of income they’d earn from the trade routes which functioned within Lanling. Jin Ling’s mind was lost already, he’d barely slept last night due to filling in various documents into the god forsaken hours of the night. The only silver lining to doing such awful tasks was that Lan Jingyi and Jiang Zizhen would be arriving in the later hours of the day for their monthly visit to check in on Jin Ling. Although Lan Jingyi could only visit him every other month, Jiang Zizhen had primarily been the main visitor.

“Inform the elders to attend a meeting which will start within the next hour. Any who fail to attend will be stripped of any ranking.” This was the typical threat Jin Ling would ensue to ensure the elders would arrive, before when he’d suddenly arrange a meeting only a few of the elders who believed it worth their time to attend would arrive.

“Yes, sect leader Jin, right away.” The servant soon scuttled away, leaving Jin Ling alone within his room. Although lavishly furnished the room never felt like home, he’d attempted to recreate the atmosphere of Lotus Pier, although he had issues of it not being of the Jin style as the elders had complained. Leaving him stuck with a fusion of sorts between the two, any purple within the room was minimal and merely an accent. Drawing his hand down his face in an attempt to wipe away the tiredness, Jin Ling began to take himself in the direction of his own bath, praying the cold water would cure his constant tiredness.

As expected all the elders arrived precisely when expected, not one would risk having even a small amount of power stripped from them.

“I imagine you all have busy schedules, including myself. So shall we quickly dismiss the matter at hand.” The elders glanced between one another in confusion, if Jin Ling had a busy schedule why had he demanded such a meeting? “No laws are to be changed. Your pockets are heavily filled already, no additional wealth will assist you.” The elders began to argue amongst themselves, declaring Jin Ling’s perspective biased due to being the sect leader and being able to draw on whatever income he desired. All except one person exclaimed.

“I believe sect leader Jin is correct.” It was the newest of the Jin elders, their face having been covered by a veil and a hat displayed on their head. This person always seemed to agree with the Sect leader to the rest of the elders' dismay. “We all hold various amounts of gold, each with our own property as well as a vast amount of workers. But elder Zu, please inform us of how many individuals are carrying out labour within your estate?” The elder crossed his arms with a slight grin to his lips, he was someone who had every hand and foot waited on. Even his son’s and daughters had an array of servants to call on, although his daughters didn’t care for the man too kindly he was constantly trying to marry them off to accumulate more money.

“Over one hundred and fifty, I can’t expect a mere group of servants to maintain my land.” The hidden elder nodded in agreement at elder Zu’s statement, they were aware the man would know how many he had hired on his property.

“Could you perhaps name any of the individuals then?” That had the man silenced, despite the amount he hired he couldn’t even name a single person aside from his children which roamed the property. He couldn’t even name his main right hand servant, he’d always used various nicknames for the poor man. “As I expected. You have all begun to become complacent within the use of your status and money, treating people as objects of worth rather than their true value as a living breathing person.” Jin Ling nodded his head in agreement, if he could he would have each elder kicked out before someone could say Lanling. However, his alternate plan which was a more fair way of dismissing them took longer, but he was sure it wouldn’t backfire on him in any way.

“Meeting adjourned, now if you will excuse me,” Jin Ling rose to his feet and exited the hall before anyone could stop him, if he had allowed himself to be stopped he would have been crowded with more questions and more problems.

“Sect leader Jin?” A solemn voice called, it had been the newest elder from earlier, having snuck out alongside Jin Ling. “Would you perhaps be available for a short while?” Jin Ling knew what the hidden individual was suggesting, a well needed break was surely desired.

“Yes, I believe I can accompany you.” The pair soon disappeared into the small garden towards the back of the residence, the garden could only be accessed by a small group of individuals which resulted in a primarily peaceful atmosphere. Having tea poured between the both of them the veil and hat worn by the newest elder was swiftly removed revealing the darling face of none other than lady Luo Qingyang.

“Sect leader Jin, I was attending to matters late into the night last night when I was made aware of your residence being lit.” Jin Ling knew he had been caught, ever since he had become sect leader due to Jin Guangyao’s unfortunate passing and then Jin Guangshan’s sudden passing due to over indulgence in alcohol Jin Ling hadn’t been able to catch much of a break. Thankfully Luo Qingyang had been kind enough to become a person he could rely on in such times, this was how Jin Ling had managed to appoint her to become an elder after the prior elder had stepped down. Although she did have to be a mysterious person despite her position. Jin Ling didn’t trust the elders to not use underhanded tactics in order to dismiss her from the council.

“There have been increased reports recently, sleep isn’t a priority.” Jin Ling complained, he believed sleep could always be regained at a later date whilst the reports couldn’t.

“Your eyebags say otherwise.” Luo Qingyang took a sip from her tea after speaking, if anyone else had heard her they would have screamed and demanded they show the new sect leader respect. Whilst Jin Ling welcomed such mannerisms he was tired of constantly being tiptoed around when being spoken to, having Luo Qingyang interact with him in such ways reminded him that he truly wasn’t above anyone else. That people clearly had the seniority still.

“As long as I cover them up before the others arrive it will be fine.” Jin Ling waved a hand in dismissal whilst he spoke, taking the small cup in his other hand in order to finally begin drinking his desired drink.

“So you are lying to young master Jiang and sect leader Lan again?” Jin Ling nearly choked on his tea hearing such a statement, he wouldn’t call it lying exactly. Merely stretching the truth as to how his health truly was. “What would young master Wei think if he saw you in such a state?” That was a dig into Jin Ling’s heart, he hadn’t had the opportunity to think of such an idea. With all his unnecessary paperwork and his prolonged working hours Wei Yuan had been the last of his thoughts. But now as he began to contemplate about the individual his eyes began to sting, ever since becoming sect leader he was unable to visit Wei Yuan, having been housed within the Jiang sect ever since the attack he had failed to awaken. Despite the fact that various doctors had informed him that he had been in proper health since healing, the crucial fact was that Wei Yuan refused to awaken.

“My apologies, I know young master Wei is an uncomfortable topic.” Jin Ling raised a hand in disagreement.

“No, no. Please continue.” Luo Qingyang nodded in agreement before continuing, she had known Jin Ling had various opportunities to go visit Wei Yuan ever since the attack yet each time found some other excuse not to visit. The boy hadn’t even left the confines of Lanling within the past year, each time being visited by others.

“There are rumours of a union between the young master Jiang and the young sect leader Lan, are you aware?” Of course Jin Ling was aware, he’d been the first one to be informed by Jiang Zizhen first in person and then Lan Jingyi in a letter a short few days later. Although the whole thing had been kept secret to any outsiders.

“Yes, it has been clear since we were younger.” The way the pair had been attached to each other's hips when in Gusu and still communicating constantly with one another since leaving.

“Of course, you attended the lectures in Gusu with the pair. How could I forget?” Luo Qingyang sipped at her tea, awaiting a response from Jin Ling yet failed to receive one to her surprise. “Young master Jin?” She prompted, the boy having frozen in place. Glancing at the boy's face she had realised as to why, tears were on the edge of his eyes. Jin Ling refused to allow the tears to fall, despite how dearly he wished they would.

“Sect leader Jin.” Called one of the guards, Luo Qingyang easily slipped into her veil once more. The less people aware of her identity the safer not only herself but her daughter would be. “My apologies for the intrusion.” The guard bowed in turn, Jin Ling wasn’t aware of the specific guard's name but was well aware he was one of the ones stationed outside of the garden. “Young master Jiang and sect leader Lan have arrived, alongside company. Are they permitted to enter?” Jin Ling stalled, he hadn’t expected the pair for another hour at most. Them arriving with company was also another wrench within his plans. Jin Ling cleared his throat before he spoke.

“Please escort them to the main hall, I will arrive to greet them soon.” Jin Ling still had to hide the bags under his eyes, if Zizhen of all people saw them he’d instantly report back to Jiang Cheng who would then either come visit him in person or send a strongly worded letter. Neither of which was ideal for him. The guard nodded in understanding and quickly departed, bowing in turn to Luo Qingyang as well. “I’m afraid our time must be cut short.” Jin Ling bowed to the woman in apology, Luo Qingyang only rose to her feet at the gesture, walking forwards to rest a hand against the man’s shoulder.

“Do not apologise. Go, enjoy the company of your friends.” The trace of a smile passed Jin Ling’s lips before he disappeared, he refused to keep the pair waiting.

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“A-Rulan!” Jiang Zizhen exclaimed, racing over to throw his arms around the man. Despite how stoic Jiang Zizhen had begun in his recent years he would still hold that childlike attitude when surrounded by the people he cherished.

“It’s good to see you Zizhen, I imagine you’ve been well.” Jin Ling returned the hug, the pair parting so they could see eye to eye.

“You're not even going to say hello to me?” Lan Jingyi whined, his arms crossed against his chest in an attempt to appear irritated, yet as he approached the pair a cheeky smile reached across his face.

“It’s good to see you as well, Jingyi.” Jin Ling returned, the Lan lowered his arms, draping his arms over both men’s shoulders to pull them closer.

“It’s nice to be back in Lanling, so much sun and warmth.” Lan Jingyi returned, both men nodded in agreement at his words. Jin Ling was careful to ensure the Lan didn’t accidentally touch his face, the make-up could easily come loose with a single brush.

“Speaking of warmth, would you like to switch into thinner robes? I know the ones you wear in the Cloud Recesses are thicker on account of the frigid temperatures.” Jin Ling offered, the Lan however shook his head.

“No need. I’d rather spend more time with the both of you than messing with robes, besides, if it does get too warm I can just lose a couple layers. Not like A-Hen hasn’t seen me with less robes before.” There was a coyness to the Lan’s voice, resulting in Jiang’s Zizhen’s face becoming similar to that of a peach, whilst Jin Ling pinched the bridge of his nose as he sighed.

“I really don’t want to hear about you two’s romantic life.” Jiang Zizhen made an almost squeaking sound at the mention of discussing it, clearly there were some things that the man wished to remain hidden from his sworn brother.

“Aww, come on. I imagine Jin Ling has seen plenty of scandalous things whilst living here, hearing stories about us cannot hurt him.” Lan Jingyi continued to push the topic, the poor Jiang’s face was starting to match more of a strawberry than a peach.

“I will not subject my brother to these topics!” Jiang Zizhen snapped out, he clearly loved Lan Jingyi but even he could be pushed to his limits.

“You’ve barely been sworn brothers for more than a month, yet you bring it up every time I mention him.” Lan Jingyi whined, leaning his weight onto the sleeve of Jiang Zizhen, he merely allowed his other half to do as he pleased.

“Well it’s only natural,” Jin Ling began, halting the excuse Jiang Zizhen had been attempting to hash out. “We wanted to be sworn brothers ever since we were kids. The main issue was Zizhen wasn’t affiliated with a clan, he didn’t want to do so whilst he wasn’t.” Jin Ling could remember the years when he’d been small, regaling the tales of his uncles. Not tied by blood, but inseparable as if they were. Well that was until later years, but Jin Ling didn’t like to dwell on those stories.

“Why didn’t you when A-Yi was first accepted into the Jiang clan?” Lan Jingyi proposed, the pair of brothers exchanged glances.

“It’s complicated…” Jin Ling returned. With the kidnapping of Wei Yuan, then the power struggle between who owned Jin Ling between the Jiang’s and the Jin’s. Having such a ceremony hadn’t been at the top of their priority. Then after the return of Wei Yuan, alongside his misfortunate fate. It hadn’t been until recently that time and circumstances had allowed it.

“Anyways, enough with the negative topics. We have a guest with us, he came with me from the Cloud Recesses.” Lan Jingyi exclaimed, Jin Ling had completely forgotten about the additional guest, having been so relieved at just being in the presence of the pair had allowed himself to completely relax. He knew he’d get minimal work done while they were here, they had that effect on him. Forcing him to relax when his mind would otherwise be forcing him into overdrive. 

“Who is this guest?” Jin Ling pondered aloud, placing a hand on his hip as he leant his weight on his back foot. It was a terrible habit he’d developed from his youth, his uncle Wanyin was to blame.

“Don’t tell me you forgot your Fuqin already?” The voice of a man echoed from the shadows of the hall, Jin Ling was bewildered at how he’d failed to notice him. But as black tendrils pulled away from his body it was no surprise as to why.

“Wei Wuxian, Hanguan-Jun told you to not use that whilst we were out.” Lan Jingyi whined, the man in question only gave a guilty laugh in response.

“But I wanted to give you boys some time alone to catch up, Rulan… Rulan didn’t even know I was here.” Wei Wuxian had paused through his words, he still doubted he earned the right to address the now sect leader of the Jin sect so informally. But as a warm smile graced the youngest man’s lips he knew he’d made the correct choice.

“How are you here? Why were you at the Cloud Recesses? I thought Hanguan-Jun and yourself were going to wander?” Jin Ling began to spiral, the last he’d seen of the pair had been before…

“You think I’m just gonna sit by whilst my son is dying?” Wei Wuxian put it in a lighter tone, but everyone knew that speaking of it was just as difficult for the man as it was Jin Ling. “When we caught wind of what happened, we headed for Lotus Pier. You can imagine how that reunion went down.” Wei Wuxian laughed, he needn’t inform Jin Ling of all the details, he imagined Jiang Zizhen would do that for him, the boy had been in the room after all.

┏━━━◥◣◆◢◤━━━━┓

“Where is my son!” The doors to the main hall of Lotus Pier had been swung open, traces of resentful energy swirled at the man’s feet. Nobody of a lower standing of cultivation could get close to him.

“Wei Wuxian!” Jiang Cheng’s voice hollered, he had Jiang Zizhen at his side. The boy had come to inform him of the disaster that was Wei Wuxian barging into Lotus Pier, although his information had clearly been a tad late. “You dare to barge into my home! Declaring to see someone under my protection!” Jiang Cheng continued, rising from his seat. Stalking over to meet eye to eye with Wei Wuxian. The two once brothers glaring daggers into one another's eyes.

“How dare you speak to sect leader Jiang in this manner!” Qin Xiang shouted at the newfound intruder, receiving a sharp glare infused with resentment she quickly recoiled, hiding herself behind Jiang Zizhen, despite having an absolute hatred of the boy after stealing her title she had to admit he held remarkable swordsmanship.

“Where is he.” Wei Wuxian continued to seethe with resentful energy, the tendrils continuing to coil at his feet, almost appearing as a living being poised ready to strike.

“Master Wei!” Jiang Zizhen leapt between Wei Wuxian and the Jiang sect leader, his sword having remained within his sheath as his hands were outstretched in a way to placate peace. “Sect leader has taken good care of Wei Yuan, I myself can vouch for this. Now, can you please stop releasing resentful energy. The younger disciples are training outside and a stunt like this will only terrify them.” His tone had only been calm and steady throughout his entire speech. “I promise you, that if he is harmed in the slightest of ways I will take all responsibility.” Jiang Zizhen was struggling to stay calm as he spoke, but he couldn’t sit by whilst a problem such as this stood before him. It wasn’t long until the resentment tendrils easily faded away, disappearing just as they had appeared. Yet Jiang Zizhen was shocked at the ability for the man to calm down so suddenly, he was even more bewildered as a short whistle escaped the man’s lips.

“Impressive, you truly have found an excellent head disciple.” Wei Wuxian remarked, all signs of an intimidation having quickly faded away whilst a smile played across his lips.

“I’m glad you agree,” Jiang Cheng returned, taking slow steps down the steps leading from the Sect leaders seat, Jiang Zizhen stunned at the sudden change of atmosphere. “He reminds me of you sometimes, selfless and always attempting to improve despite how far he’s come.”

“Half of my improvement was to keep Madam Yu off my back.” Wei Wuxian joked, lightly elbowing his younger brother.

“As if that ever stopped mother from lacing into you.” Jiang Cheng barked, a slight hint of amusement behind his words.

“Wait, I’m confused…” Jiang Zizhen continued, the sight before him was of a close pair of brothers in contrast to the horrible relationship everyone else believed of the pair. “I thought you hated each other?” Even after hearing all the tales from Jin Ling of the pair of inseparable Yunmeng brothers, the tales shared from the rest of the world were hard to forget. The pair exchanged glances before bursting into laughter, leaving Jiang Zizhen only further confused.

“Zizhen, you listened to the tales I used to tell A-Rulan when he was a kid, correct?” Jiang Zizhen only nodded in agreement to his Sect leader's words. He could perhaps recite a few if necessary. “When have I ever painted my elder brother as someone I would hate?” Jiang Zizhen could only halt in place, he couldn’t respond.

“We used to pretend we hated one another, after the war the Jiang sect wasn’t the strongest, it could barely consider itself one of the four great sects. After my attempts to save the Wen’s I was only causing strain between the Jiang sect and the others. Simply put we would pretend to loath one another, where in actuality we were merely waiting for a more opportune moment to assist one another. Yet neither of us expected what came next…” Wei Wuxian reminiscenced, the memories clearly more painful than he expected. Jiang Cheng wrapped an arm around the man, as if to ground him in place once more.

“But neither one holds the other accountable for what occurred, right?” Jiang Cheng continued, attempting to push the conversation in another direction. “Now about your son…” The pair soon disappeared into the depths of Lotus Pier, the pair looking as they had when they were merely teenagers, leant against one another as if the world was their oyster. They no longer had to pretend of false hatred towards one another, if the sect leader's older brother had returned to Lotus Pier the inhabitants sure weren’t going to inform the rest of the cultivation world. This was their master Wei, they weren’t willing to part with him so easily.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

“Our medics have done as much as they can, his body has almost completely recovered. All that remains is the scar on his back, although I don’t think it’ll be noticeable under the majority of his other scars.” Jiang Cheng informed, the pair now situated around a small table which was positioned in the corner of the room Wei Yuan had been placed in.

“Other scars?” Wei Wuxian prompted, he wasn’t aware his son had suffered any major injuries.

“Based on how they have healed and the patterns the medics have assumed burn marks on part of his body, whilst the others appeared as whip marks. I’m sure you can deduce where the latter came from.” Jiang Cheng continued to sip on the tea he’d poured for himself and Wei Wuxian, the liquid having cooled slightly.

“I can tell you where both came from.” Wei Wuxian seethed, although his memory was mostly recovered, attempting to recall exact events was still a challenge for himself. Major things were clear, but set pieces still required certain challenges to recover. It was straining for himself mentally but he still persevered. Jiang Cheng hummed in questioning. “After I fell… I can’t remember it clearly. Only in bits and pieces. I was walking, I had no clue as to who I was, no clue as to how I’d gotten there. Only that I had to protect something.” Wei Wuxian’s hands shook slightly at the memory, it was one of the few no matter how hard he tried he couldn’t fully recall everything. “I think some of my bones were broken, resentful energy was keeping me held together. Almost like that of a leaking bowl, hands being pressed against the cracks to prevent water escaping but only doing a half done job.” His body had been failing him, that was clear, but he’d kept pressing forwards the fading resentful energy acting as an attempt to savour what was left of himself. Jiang Cheng remained silent, he’d been awaiting an answer for what exactly had occurred for Wei Wuxian to end within the Cloud Recesses. “It wasn’t long until I returned to the peak, I believed I blacked out a couple times along the way, managing to lose the majority of my outer robes. They’d been too heavy I believe.” That checked on what the Jiang sect had been able to recover from the mountains. “Eventually I arrived atop of some hill, that's when A-Yuan came stumbling towards me. I don’t know how he survived, perhaps it was thanks to A-Qing and A-Ning,” Jiang Cheng’s grasp around his cup tightened, Wei Wuxian had only been within the Wen’s company for a short while yet he addressed them as familiar as he did. Meanwhile he never once offered such a close name to himself. “Either way, I must have recalled something about him. I kept him cradled within my arms, he was warm. Warmer than a child should have been, perhaps it was the fever he’d been struck by. According to Lan Zhan he’d suffered a fever the first few days he returned to the Cloud Recesses. But you remember what the Sect’s did to the buildings, I wouldn’t put it past them burning them whilst people were inside. Even children.” Jiang Cheng felt guilt plague him even further, he knew it hadn’t been the Jiang clan to have lit the buildings alight, they hadn’t brought any fire talismans with that at the time. But he could only think of a way he could have saved some of the Wen's, perhaps he could have forged a distraction to allow some of them to flee, or to hide amongst their ranks. But his mind had been too disoriented at the time. “After that I can only recall Lan Zhan arriving, I couldn’t tell who he was at the time. Well I managed to grasp hold of one thing before I passed out, a white headband. It was tied around my wrist,” Wei Wuxian raised his right wrist as if to explain what had occurred, Jiang Cheng remained shocked.

“Wait, what! Lan Wangji, when we were teenagers, tied his headband around your wrist!” Wei Wuxian nodded slowly, almost fearful of his younger brother. “That means that you two were engaged by Lan standards for decades!” Wei Wuxian felt his face warm slightly at the mention, after having resolved his romantic feelings with the man, little moments such as those only gave clarity as to how oblivious he was.

“Oh…” Was the meagre response he gave.

“Oh? Oh!?” Jiang Cheng was losing it at the poor response his brother offered. “I can’t believe it, no wonder he kept you for so long. What I can’t understand is why didn’t you leave, I doubt he kept you there.” Although as Jiang Cheng thought it over perhaps the Lan’s would do such a thing.

“Not really like I had the option, being unconscious for three years makes it hard for a guy to move around.” Wei Wuxian mentioned it in a light tone but could only watch as the colour drained from his younger brother's face. “Clearly the price for the resentment keeping me alive was the price of my memories, thankfully it was only temporary. But for the longest time I could recall questioning who I was, why I was in that room, who were the people which surrounded me, and why couldn’t I recall any of it.” It was clearly a difficult time for Wei Wuxian, Jiang Cheng wasn’t sure on pushing his brother further on this matter yet he continued to speak. “But familiar things began to trigger memories, a certain song. A certain sight, a certain word. It was fractured to begin with, I could remember he was my son, that I had basically acted as his mother within the burial mounds. That the Lan’s had given me a home, although it took me longer than I’d have liked to realise who Lan Zhan was… He gave me everything, he truly gave me the chance at a new life. No rules, no expectations, I could be A-Yuan’s mother and wander as I pleased. Just as long as I didn’t aggravate any elders.” Jiang Cheng remained silent for a moment before speaking.

“When did you regain all your memories then?” Jiang Cheng wasn’t prepared for the next response.

“Three days ago.”

“How is that possible! You said you were slowly recovering them, how did you suddenly stop for so many years.”

“Wen Chao decided he wanted revenge.” The mention of such a name silenced the room instantly, the man had taken everything and more from the pair of them. His name was not to be lightly thrown around. “Although I guess I have to thank him for one thing…” Jiang Cheng stumbled upon such words.

“Thank him! I don’t think I need to remind you of what he did to us.” Wei Wuxian shook his head at Jiang Cheng’s words, he didn’t need to be reminded. Those were the memories still clear as day.

“No I remember, but he killed Lan Qiren. Did you know he got worse after I turned to demonic cultivation, more strict, more punishments. I wouldn’t have put it past it being him who ordered for A-Yuan to be whipped.” Jiang Cheng offered a hand over his older brother's shoulder, he knew Wei Wuxian took the blame for things that weren’t even his fault.

“Well, that's in the past now. How about I give you a tour of Lotus Pier. It has been a while since you were here last. I doubt Wei Yuan would want you to hover around him whilst he’s like this.” Wei Wuxian nodded, quickly downing the remains of his tea before rising to his feet.

“You're right, he wouldn’t want me to be like his father.” Wei Wuxian added, escaping into the hallways of Lotus Pier. Jiang Cheng only blanked before quickly taking chase, clearly another story which needed to be told.

┗━━━◢◤◆◥◣━━━━┛

“In general I am now permitted to wander into Lotus Pier without issue.” Wei Wuxian remarked, Jin Ling had never expected him to struggle travelling between the place in the first place. It was clear to him that his uncle Wanyin admired his uncle Wuxian, although he guessed it he was his fuqin now.

“Are you planning to stay long, fuqin?” Jin Ling offered, as much as he was rejoiced at Wei Wuxian coming to visit him he doubted it was for something as trivial as catching up.

“Just the night, I have to return to the Cloud Recess before long. I don’t want my husband panicking at my absence.” Lan Jingyi panicked the minute the words escaped the elders lips.

“Wei Wuxian! You aren’t supposed to tell anyone of that yet!” A small laugh echoed from Wei Wuxian’s lips at the realisation.

“Oh right, it's all hush hush. That is until-” Wei Wuxian received a hand slapped over his mouth by none other than Jiang Zizhen.

“Our sincere apologies Rulan, master Wei here has never learned how to keep his mouth shut.” It wasn’t long until Lan Jingyi began to drag the man aside, various threats could be heard yet the elder barely looked affected in the least, a lazy smile across his features.

“You’d think he’d respect the Lan heir, even if A-Yi refuses to accept the title.” Jiang Jingyi continued, shaking his head at the pair's actions. “Anyways, we will allow master Wei to deliver his message and then he’ll depart, we have a lot to catch up on.” Jin Ling had believed at that moment that he was a small child once more, Jingyi having managed to sneak into his bedroom within Lotus Pier. The pair of them roaming the docks late into the night, only beginning to retire when the rays of sun began to dance across the waters, reflecting against every ripple the water provided. A smile, just as comforting as the one before him, a smile proof that despite where he came from, whatever debts that existed which were tied into his very blood, that the person before him. The person he would consider his family not through blood, but through choice. Smiling at him purely because he brought joy to them by being beside them.

“O- Of course.” He knew Jiang Jingyi would have caught that slip up, maybe he felt the same way at times. Reminiscing of times when they were children.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

“Anyways, now that I’ve got you alone,” Wei Wuxian’s enthusiastic demeanour dropped instantly, it startled Jin Ling slightly in a way. How the man could change in an instant. “We need to talk about A-Yuan.” The one thing he couldn’t talk about, the one thing he’d worked himself in an attempt to forget. Yet despite how many times he worked himself to pure exhaustion he would repeatedly dream of him, of their times in the Cloud Recesses and that night… The night before everything went wrong. That night where he had all the opportunities to make a change, he could have told him to leave, could have told him to stay beside him. He could have protected him, he could have done anything different! He could have saved him!

But he knew that if he’d taken that option, hidden A-Yuan away for the rest of his life, away from his family he’d have never truly lived the life he’d aspired for.

“What happened?” His voice was shaky, there was no denying it, nor was there a way to avoid the forthcoming conversation.

“He’s awake.” Jin Ling’s world froze in that moment, he couldn’t comprehend it, yet if he had been awoken why hadn’t his uncle informed him? “But there’s an issue, he’s not really himself…” Now that was an alternative problem, Jin Ling had never fathomed that A-Yuan would suffer further even after awakening.

”What’s wrong with him?” Jin Ling could hear his own voice breaking with each word which escaped his mouth, but he couldn’t stop himself from asking. The truth had been hidden from him enough throughout his life, he refused to be ignorant despite how cruel the truth may be.

”His memory is fractured, similar to how my own was…” Jin Ling hadn’t been privy to all the details of Wei Wuxian’s recovery. Although thanks to many rumours, many of which had been corrected by Lan Jingyi, he’d managed to piece together the theory that Wei Wuxian’s mind had been an incomplete puzzle, slowly being placed together by specific memories being repeated, sometimes in small ways, others much larger.

”How much does he know?” He could only beg that A-Yuan remembered himself, that he remembered Lan Jingyi and Jiang Zizhen. 

“I’m not sure you want that answer…” Wei Wuxian returned, an almost shiver to his voice.

”Fuqin, please.” Jin Ling wasn’t even sure if he had the right to address Wei Wuxian in such a matter, the only thing which currently tied himself to A-Yuan was an unfulfilled promise. Wei Wuxian couldn’t help but see Jiang Yanli in Jin Ling, little tells he’d managed to pick up despite having never known the woman. He truly had no way to say no, to his late sister or her son.

”He is Lan Sizhui, heir to the Lan sect a week prior to the teaching conference.” Jin Ling could only feel as his heart broke ever so slightly in the moment.

”I understand… Thank you for informing me.” Wei Wuxian was baffled at such a calm response, he’d nearly broken down into tears himself when he’d discovered that all the memories of the past few years had been lost.

”That’s it!” Wei Wuxian had promised himself he wouldn’t get distressed, he’d already released a concerning amount of resentful energy over the course of the past few days. Even his husband, he was aware that it was natural for his body to release minuscule amounts of resentful energy, just as a cultivator would spiritual energy but the constant fluctuations were unhealthy, even if it had been spiritual energy. “Why aren’t you more shocked! The person who you almost gave your own life for doesn’t remember you and all you can say is thank you for informing me!”

“Because I had steeled my heart to believe he was dead long before you came here!” Wei Wuxian hadn’t been expecting such a response. Jin Ling’s hands began to shake at the sheer amount of emotions he was attempting to repress, as much as he wished to cry he couldn't. He’d shed too many already. “I told myself to believe he was dead the moment metal met flesh!”