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Chapter Text

Chapter 1

Do not succumb to anger. 

It was one of the founding rules of the Lan Clan and yet Lan Zhan could feel nothing other than a cold fury filling his veins.

He watched as his husband in all but ceremony let himself fall to Jiang Cheng’s blade. 

Even at his death, he’d never raise a hand to defend himself against their tyranny. 

Well fuck that.

It was said that those close to immortality had the power to change the world. 

It was unclear how or why some people achieved the enlightened state necessary to become an immortal. 

However, there was a theory that someone on the peak of immortality could ascend in a singular instant if enough turmoil was present in their hearts. 

That theory was proven true the instant the light left Wei Ying’s eyes. 

In the instant between one breath and the next, Lan Zhan transitioned from mortal man to immortal god. The all- encompassing fury that flowed through his veins caused the world to come to a screeching halt. 

The world around him held its breath, waiting to see the outcome of a righteous man’s anger. 

Silence filled the air for a heartbeat. Not even the dead made sounds. 

In another instant, power exploded out of Lan Zhan like a tidal wave. A red tether to Wei Ying’s heart became tangible, pulling the two towards one another. 

Lan Zhan gathered Wei Ying’s body in his arms, a guttural scream falling from his lips. 

“Lan Zhan!” Lan Xichen screamed. 

Lan Zhan paid no attention to his brother’s scream. If he’d cared, he wouldn’t have driven his lover to his death. 

He tuned out the shouting as the world watched the peerless Hanguan-Jun transcend from his mortal being into something greater. 

Lan Zhan drew in a breath and it was like his power responded to the shuddering sob.

A bright, beautiful, blue light pulsed from his chest, intertwining with the just as beautiful red light emanating from Wei Ying’s body. 

The entangled lights pulsed together for several moments before they sped towards Jiang Cheng’s chest. 

They entered his body at the lower dantian. It was quiet as the world waited to see what would happen. 

The two lights pulsed and then they yanked. 

They pulled and they pulled until a pure, golden light flowed back with them. 

Jiang Cheng shrieked as the feeling of emptiness replaced the warmth that had been there only seconds prior. 

A terrible understanding filled Lan Zhan’s eyes before fury replaced what little notion of mercy he had left. 

Lan Zhan met Jiang Cheng’s gaze - predator making eye contact with his prey. 

“Fuck you.” He snarled, startling gasps out of the people around them. “Fuck you and your false self righteousness. You didn’t deserve what he gave you. You don’t deserve anything.” 

Those were the last words heard by anyone as the three energies combined into an explosion of white light. 

Chapter Text

A New Beginning

Lan Zhan woke to the sounds of birds chirping from outside his window. 

He was confused. 

His last memory was of the man he loved dying in his arms in the middle of the Burial Mounds, surrounded by the people that had betrayed the one man they owed their miserable lives to. 

How had he gotten back to the Jingshi? 

Had the rest of the cultivation world captured him and dragged him back here? 

He sighed, sitting up in his bed. 

He wasn’t locked up and he wasn’t caged, but he wasn’t sure he wanted to be part of this hypocritical world if Wei Ying wasn’t in it with him. 

He opened his dresser to dress for the day and took in the lingering scent of his mother. 

Maybe the scent had long faded, replaced only by a memory, but Lan Zhan wanted to believe that it was his mother that he could sense every time he opened up the wooden dresser that had once lived in the Hanshi.  

The comforting scent helped to settle the tension in his shoulders. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. 

He froze. 

He turned slowly as a realization dawned on him. His home had burned.

His home had burned to the ground including his mother’s dresser.

The Wens had destroyed his home over a year ago… so what the fuck was his mother’s dresser doing here. 

Lan Zhan stumbled over to the mirror, only to flinch back in surprise. 

Gone was the war-hardened face of a man that had lost everything. In its place was the face of a young man that had never faced the horror of losing faith in his own people. 

He leaned toward the mirror, inspecting the face looking back at him. 

He stumbled back to the other side of the room, pulling open the hidden drawer underneath the false bottom of the dresser. 

Wei Ying’s drawing no longer sat there, discolored by age. The drawer was empty. 

A tear fell down his cheek. 

His only remnant of the man he loved, gone. 

“Wangji, are you alright? You missed breakfast.” Lan Xichen’s voice started Lan Zhan out of his thoughts. 

At first, Lan Zhan wanted to rage in the anger he felt, but then he stopped to think. 

Lan Zhan’s lips twitched as a small smirk formed. It would never be seen by another soul. 

If the gods had gifted him with this chance, then he was going to make sure that things went better this time. 

“I, Lan Wangji, wish that I can always stand with justice and to live with no regrets.” He said to himself. 

Another voice echoed in his head as he remembered the promise they had made that night. 

Lan Zhan smoothed out his hair and softened the look on his face, moving open the door to his brother. 

“I apologize, brother, I was feeling unwell this morning so I decided to stay in to meditate.”  Lan Zhan said. 

Lying is forbidden . 

Maybe they shouldn’t have killed his soulmate then. 

Lan Xichen’s expression softened. “Apologies are unnecessary. Are you feeling better then? It’s almost time for lessons.” 

Lan Zhan dipped his head. “Mhm.” 

Lan Xichen smiled and nodded. “Okay, then I’ll leave you to it. ” 

“Thank you, Xichen.” 

Zewe Jun’s lips pulled into a small smile at the address. 

Lan Zhan reached into his meridians the moment his brother left.

The power was far less than he was used to, but that would be remedied through a bit of meditation and training. 

And if he was never able to reach the same level of cultivation he had during that night in the Burial Mounds when his world came crashing down, then his immortality was a small price to pay for getting a chance to save his beloved.

He needed a plan before things happened the same way as before. 

He walked over to his table, flicking his sleeves out of the way. 

• Find Wei Ying

• Get Uncle to see Wei Ying as a prodigy instead of a nuisance

• Get Xichen on Wei Ying’s side, he will be needed for later support

• Prevent the Jiangs from taking Wei Ying from him

• Find the doctor and her brother 

• Get rid of Wen Chao, Wen Xu, Wen Zhuliu, and Jin Guangyao 

• Win the war

• Marry Wei Ying

Lan Zhan hummed. Yes, that was sufficient. 

He walked out of his residence, trying to keep his face neutral. 

“Lan Zhan!” Lan Zhan stopped in his tracks as the voice of the man he loved flowed over him. 

A tidal wave of emotions engulfed him as he whirled around to find Wei Ying smiling at him and jogging towards him. 

He couldn’t stop the slight twitch of his lips as Wei Ying approached.

Wei Ying was here which meant he was safe for the time being. 

“We should walk to the lecture hall together.” Wei Ying said, bouncing around Lan Zhan. 

“Mnm.” Zhan replied, turning toward the classroom. 

Wei Ying’s smile widened at the acceptance, but a concerned frown quickly replaced the smile. “I didn’t see you at breakfast this morning. Are you okay?” 

Lan Zhan nodded. “I’m okay.” 

Wei Ying nodded. “Good. Tell me if you’re not. I’ll help if I can.” 

Lan Zhan nodded, taking comfort in Wei Ying’s presence. Wei Ying was so selfless, so ready to act in service or defense of everyone else. It was time someone stood for him. 

“Thank you, Wei Ying, your care is appreciated.” At Lan Zhan’s words, Wei Wing brightened up, bouncing around him and chattering non-stop on their way to lectures. 

Wei Ying was damn near vibrating in his seat throughout the first hour of lectures. 

They were supposed to be copying the fourth section of The Fundamentals of Cultivation, but Wei Ying had dissolved into doodling on his paper, shifting in his seat every few seconds. 

Lan Qiren frowned. He wanted to scream. The child was disrespectful, impatient, and a nuisance during class. 

Just as Lan Qiren was about to yell at the distracted child, Lan Zhan placed an advanced, but incomplete talisman design in front of him. 

Instantly, Wei Ying stilled his movements and focused on the problem in front of him. 

His hands sped over the paper, adjusting his view of the diagram while jotting down notes in the margins of the papers. 

Lan Zhan noticed his uncle watching with a frown. He subtly shook his head and looked meaningfully at the work Wei Ying was doing. 

“Watch.” Lan Zhan mouthed. 

Lan Qiren wanted to protest, but nodded. The diagram was several years ahead of their current guest curriculum. 

Lan Qiren studied the paper, watching his most troublesome student piece together an advanced talisman array with nothing more than his own thoughts. 

The diagram was an ancient Lan puzzle from his own library, a puzzle for those that had made it through the advanced curriculum and onto self study like Lan Zhan had. In fact, Lan Qiren thought to himself, Lan Zhan had only received that diagram a few months prior. 

Wei Ying wouldn’t have been able to study the diagram before. It was a piece of Lan history, something not studied by the other great sects. 

The notes on the sides were unorganized, but obviously helping Wei Wuxian in some sort of way. 

The teacher also noticed the way Wei Ying was finally still in his seat, his mind and hands kept busy by the problem Lan Zhan had given him. 

Wei Ying proudly handed the paper back to Lan Zhan, the design complete and, more importantly, correct. 

Lan Zhan nodded, appreciating the bright smile he received in return. He handed another puzzle to Wei Ying who instantly set about trying to solve it. 

His left knee was pulled up to his chest and he was sprawled over the desk, but he was quiet and focused. 

A sudden realization made Lan Qiren pause. 

If the child was bored , then that would explain the constant movement and troublemaking. He’d already proven that he knew the core materials backward and forward. Maybe what Wei Wuxian needed wasn’t punishments, but challenges. 

Interesting . 

It was something worth looking into. 

Lan Qiren observed the pair for the rest of the lectures. 

He watched as Wangji gently corrected Wei Wuxian’s work on the diagrams. He noted how his nephew didn’t push the younger man away when he scooted closer to get a look at Wangji’s notes, his nephew simply moving the paper so that Wei Wuxian could see better. 

Somehow, that rambunctious teen had managed to befriend Wangji. Wangji had never once claimed to have a friend. He had peers, fellow heirs, and clan members, but never a friend. 

What was it about this child that Wangji was so comfortable with?

Interesting . 

Lan Qiren sought out his older nephew after lectures had ended. He needed his point of view on the trouble maker. Xichen was always better at reading his brother. 

“Xichen, what are your thoughts on Wei Wuxian?” Lan Qiren asked as the younger man poured tea for the two of them. 

Xichen frowned slightly. 

“In what way, Uncle?” Xichen asked. 

“I noticed something today, several things actually, but Wangji seems close to him and I wanted to know your thoughts about his character before I approach Wangji.” Lan Qiren clarified. 

Xichen hummed. “You are aware that Wangji does not allow others close to him. Somehow, Wei Wuxian has managed to get past my brother’s walls. I’m not sure how or why, but Wangji allows him to get into his space and call him by his given name. I would like to think that we have raised Wangji well enough that he would not get close to someone of untoward character.” Xichen answered, sipping his tea periodically. 

Lan Qiren thought about his older nephew’s words. 

Wangji was the pillar of his generation, an outstanding scholar with unbeatable morals. If he had deemed the trouble maker worthy of his affection, then there had to be something that the rest of them didn’t see. 

Whatever it was, Lan Qiren vowed to figure it out.

Interesting.

Chapter Text

Chapter 3:

Show Me

Lan Zhan closed his eyes and took a deep, steadying breath. 

His patience for the people around him was dwindling quickly. 

It was taking every ounce of his self-control to not simple sweep Wei Ying into his arms and carry him off to somewhere safer, somewhere they could live without the threat of idiots or manipulative bastards. 

If it wouldn’t hurt Wei Ying, he would just kill everyone that posed a threat to his future peace and be done with it. 

Alas, Wei Ying was softhearted when it came to people he loved and would probably dislike it if Lan Zhan killed a bunch of people for things they hadn’t done… yet. 

Still, the thought of strangling Jiang Cheng with his own intestines was a lovely image. 

Lan Zhan frowned as he watched Wei Ying hold back during his spar with Jiang Cheng. 

This was not the same level of sparring that he knew Wei Ying was capable of. Even back then, well now, Wei Ying was a brilliant fighter that was able to match him. He wouldn’t be so easily challenged by the likes of Jiang Cheng, no matter what Jiang Cheng thought of his own abilities. 

Every time Wei Ying had a clear opening, his movements would broadcast openly to his adopted brother, allowing Jiang Cheng the chance to dodge or retaliate. 

Wei Ying’s moves were graceful, but the power that he knew was hiding in the lithe muscles of Wei Ying’s body was missing. 

To everyone else, it looked as though they were pretty evenly matched - appropriate for the heir of the clan and his head disciple. To everyone else, Wei Ying was a highly skilled, but undisciplined young cultivator. 

They saw his jokes and smiles and dismissed his talent on account of his family and the blood in his veins. 

Ridiculous. 

Lan Zhan knew better. He knew what Wei Ying was capable of. He knew the speed at which the younger man thought through plans of action, the speed at which Wei Ying was able to calculate his best chances of winning. 

He glanced at his uncle and brother standing off to the side, observing the matches. 

No. It wouldn’t do for them to think Wei Ying average. 

He needed them to know that his chosen partner was extraordinary. 

The only way they would agree to a marriage between them was to make them see the potential in Wei Ying’s addition to their clan and the only way for Wei Ying to be safe was marriage. 

Sworn brotherhood wouldn’t be enough. They would still take him away. 

He huffed and finished his fight with Su Minshan in a single firm blow to the other man’s dantian. 

He didn’t even look down to see if Su Minshan was done. Lan Zhan knew that he was. 

He waited until Wei Ying was clearly ahead to speak. 

“Wei Ying, spar with me when you’re done.” He said, just loud enough for the people around him to hear. 

Whispers filled the air as people questioned why the emotionless young heir was asking the son of a servant to spar with him. 

Wei Ying immediately nodded excitedly. “Sure!” 

He had a sudden burst of forward motion, knocking his brother back. No matter how hard Jiang Cheng tried, Wei Ying’s excitement and eagerness was too great to surpass. He lost in less than a minute, the point of Wei Ying’s blade pressed to his throat. 

Wei Ying quickly pulled his brother off the ground and smiled at him. “Great job, Jiang Cheng! Your strikes are getting stronger. Remember to block your sides as you move back and try to change the momentum out of your enemy’s favor.” 

Jiang Cheng’s expression soured. He scoffed, pushing Wei Ying’s hands off of him. “Whatever,” he replied, storming off to the sidelines. 

Lan Zhan walked into the sparring ring once more, rolling his shoulders back and pointing Bichen toward the ground out to his side. His other hand was gracefully poised in the small of his back. The white of his robes glistened in the midday sun. 

He looked every bit the part of the peerless second Jade. 

Wei Ying bounced back into the ring after him, his hair flying behind him as he moved. 

They were opposites, one full of controlled energy and the other a dazzling expression of movement. 

Lan Zhan bowed to Wei Ying, holding back his pride as Wei Ying emulated his bow back to him perfectly. 

Wei Ying wouldn’t know what that meant, wouldn’t know the impression that bow would leave on Xichen and the Grandmaster. 

He glanced subtly at his uncle and brother. Both of them had impressed, contemplative looks on their faces. 

The Lans always bowed with their swords out to the side. It was one thing to show respect to an enemy, it was another to declare that they were powerful enough to move their swords out to the side even in front of an opponent. To most, the bow looked like a simple gesture, but to the Lans, it was the foundation of their sword form. 

It was an immense sign of respect for Wei Ying to replicate the bow back to Lan Zhan. 

Lan Zhan allowed Wei Ying to make the first move, a lightning quick high slash. 

Lan Zhan blocked it and moved to the side, parrying the move with a vertical slash of his own. 

Wei Ying smiled. “Lan Zhan, if I win, what will you give me?” 

Lan Zhan hummed, swatting away Wei Ying strikes like they were nothing. “You won’t win if you keep holding back.” He said, raising an eyebrow. 

Wei Ying narrowed his eyes, stepping forward with a combination of swipes and stabs of his blade. “I’m not holding back.” He said with a glance at the side lines. 

Lan Zhan didn’t have to look to know that Wei Ying was glancing at Jiang Cheng. 

Lan Zhan stepped forward into Wei Ying’s space. 

“Then prove it.” Lan Zhan replied. “Show me what the head disciple of the Jiang Clan is capable of.” 

Wei Ying smirked. “Fine.” 

The two young men’s movements became quicker and their strikes became harder. 

Finally. Lan Zhan thought to himself. 

Lan Zhan let his non-sword arm drop from behind his back, using it to balance as he sparred with Wei Ying. 

Grandmaster Lan raised an eyebrow at that. Lan Zhan always kept his arm behind his back unless he thought he was sparring someone he thought was equal to him in power. It was rare that he would drop his arm so quickly into a fight. 

The fight became a dance. Every step was matched, every strike was parried, every movement was countered. 

The two of them were so entranced by their fight that neither noticed the crowd beginning to form around the sparring ring. 

The disciples of all the visiting sects and most of the Lan Clan made their way to the spectacle in the courtyard. 

It was a sight to be seen, two equally strong and complementary fighters locked in a dance. It was beautiful to witness the way that they moved together. 

Wei Ying’s sword form seemed to morph in front of everyone’s eyes. It was no longer strictly the well known Jiang form. Movements from several different clans seeped through, creating an entirely different style. It was as if Wei Ying had meshed everything he’d learned from the other clans during their sparring into his own movements. 

Xichen’s took in a deep breath when he saw Wei Ying copy a movement Lan Zhan had done only a few minutes prior. 

Was he actively learning from Lan Zhan’s movements and replicating the moves during a spar?

He looked over at the grandmaster, only to see the same look on his uncle’s face. 

“Extend your whole body into that movement. Your arms are not as long as mine, so you’ll need to pair that movement with a step or a lunge.” Lan Zhan said. 

Xichen wanted to laugh. He was. He was actually taking what he was seeing and implementing it in real time. 

"Wei Wuxian is a very skilled cultivator to be able to hold out this long against Wangji, don't you agree, Grandmaster?" Lan Xichen said softly. 

The Grandmaster hummed in reply. "Indeed he it. I do wonder, however, why we haven't seen this level of skill prior to this." Lan Qiren mused softly. 

Xichen frowned. "Wei Wuxian is one of the most recognized cultivators of his generation. What do you mean, Uncle?" Xichen asked. 

"Earlier he was sparring Jiang Cheng. He was evenly matched during that fight, just as one would expect. Then Wangji asks him to fight and he's able to parry each of your brother's moves without much strain. So unless Jiang Cheng is also on par with your brother," Lan Qiren scoffed slightly at those words, "or Wei Wuxian held back during their match." Lan,  Qiren said. 

Xichen frowned, but couldn't offer a rebuttal to his uncle's words. Jiang Cheng was a skilled fighter, as any heir would be expected to be, but he was not a match for Wangji.

Something wasn't right. 

Wei Ying laughed, trying the movement again. This time, he was able to make the movement extend into Lan Zhan’s space. 

Lan Zhan whirled around, flipping his blade in his hand as he grabbed Wei Ying’s sword wrist and pulled. 

The movement pulled Wei Ying into his chest, his sword arm secured behind Lan's Zhan's body. Lan Zhan kept his grip firmly on Wei Ying’s wrist, but gentle enough not to hurt him. He pressed Bichen close to Wei Ying’s throat, careful to not cut the other man. 

Their chests were rising and falling in sync, their breaths mingling. Lan Zhan couldn’t stop himself from appreciating the beauty of Wei Ying in that moment, his hair loosely falling into his face from where it had come loose from the red ribbon, his cheeks flushed with exertion. 

“I win.” Lan Zhan said with a proud, little smirk. 

Wei Ying smirked back at him. He leaned forward and whispered. “I don’t think you do.” 

Lan Zhan felt the tip of Suibian press against the back of his neck. He turned his head slightly to see Wei Ying’s nondominant hand holding the sword against the back of his neck gently. 

He sighed. “You switched hands behind my back, didn’t you?” He asked. 

Wei Ying giggled and nodded. “That was so much fun!” He cheered as they released each other. 

Clapping erupted from the gathered crowd, but the two men ignored them. 

Lan Zhan nodded. “I look forward to sparring again. Wei Ying is very talented.” 

Wei Ying’s smile brightened as he nodded. “You’re amazing. I’ve never had a fight like that before. It was like you could read my moves before I made them. Is that a Lan thing or just a Lan Zhan thing?” 

Lan Zhan shook his head. Wei Ying was adorable. 

Wei Ying shrugged and laughed. “Whatever it was, you are incredible!” He laughed, bouncing around like he hadn’t just spent the last half an hour sparring with the best of their generation. 

Lan Zhan nodded. “Do not discredit yourself. We tied, which means Wei Ying is just as incredible, no?” 

Wei Ying laughed as he shook his head. “Fine, then we are both great.” 

Lan Zhan nodded. “Mn.”

“Brother, that was quite the spectacle. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you enjoy a fight with anyone.” Xichen said, approaching the duo. 

They greeted each other with polite bows. Xichen didn’t miss the way Wei Wuxian bent just a little further than his station demanded. 

He’d heard that the boy held no regard for hierarchy or stations that people held, that he hovered on the line of disrespect to his betters, but the bow he’d just given Xichen said otherwise. 

His bow spoke of someone well aware of the difference in their station. 

“Mn.” Lan Zhan replied, letting his brother see the relaxed set of his shoulders. 

 Xichen smiled. “I’m sure you’re both tired, so I’ll let you go rest. Brother,  I’m going over to Caiye Town tomorrow morning to investigate a water demon that’s been attacking the locals. Are you able to join me?” Xichen asked. 

“Mn.” Lan Zhan replied. 

Xichen turned to Wei Wuxian. “Wei Wuxian, it may benefit us greatly if you’d be willing  to join us with your familiarity with water.” 

Lan Zhan wanted to roll his eyes. His brother was the opposite of subtle. 

Wei Ying nodded. “Sure! I’d love to come! I’ll get Jiang Cheng!” Wei Ying said, bouncing away. 

Xichen raised an eyebrow when his little brother let out a harsh breath through his nose and clenched his jaw. 

For some reason, Wangji disliked the Jiang heir. 

Xichen would have to continue observing before making any judgements, but he trusted his brother. 

If Wangji didn’t like him, he had to have a reason right? Especially if he was so outwardly distraught by the idea of the younger man joining them. 

Nonetheless, Xichen would observe the interaction between the heir and his brother. If he noticed something concerning, he’d bring it up to his uncle. 

It wouldn’t do for his brother to be involved in a diplomatic incident, especially if the incident involved some visiting heir disrespecting the youngest heir of the clan.  

Even the mere thought of someone disrespecting his brother had his shoulders tensing.

Xichen took a deep breath and settled himself. Do not succumb to anger. Do not let assumptions cloud your judgement. 

Xichen gave his brother a supporting smile. 

“I have good feelings about that young man, Wei Wuxian. Maybe this year you’ll make a friend, Wangji.” Xichen said. 

Lan Zhan wanted to walk away, wanted to leave behind the awkward sentimentality of his brother, but he couldn’t give up this golden opportunity. 

“Mn. We Ying is my...friend.” Lan Zhan replied, forcing a little bit of color into his cheeks for extra effect.

He turned around and walked away, leaving his brother to ponder the meaning behind his reaction. 

His brother, try as he might to deny it, loved getting into Wangji’s business. 

He smiled inwardly at the contemplative look on his brother’s face as he turned the corner. 

It was better to plant that seed in his brother’s head and let Xichen think he was the one that pushed them together. 

Everyone would be happy that way... well not Madam Yu or Jiang Cheng, but they could fuck right off a cliff for all Lan Zhan cared. 

Chapter Text

Chapter 4: 

The Waterborne Abyss

The next morning, Lan Xichen stood at the main gate of Cloud Recesses, waiting for his brother to arrive so that they could leave. 

Beside him, Su She, one of their disciples. The younger man had asked to tag along in order to gain some experience and observe how Lan Wangji and Lan Xichen took care of the problem. 

Xichen raised an eyebrow at Lan Zhan as he approached with Wei Wuxian. 

Lan Zhan just turned his gaze away, refusing to acknowledge his brother. 

Xichen laughed lightly under his breath. Ah, there was his brother’s stubbornness. He’d wondered where it had gone, but by the firm set of Wangji’s lips, it was back in full play. 

Jiang Cheng was following with the same hard frown that Xichen usually saw on his face. 

“Thank you for joining us, Young Master Jiang, Young Master Wei.” Xichen greeted with a bow of his head. 

“Someone has to come along to make sure this one doesn’t embarrass our sect by showing off.” Jiang Cheng grumbled. 

Xichen kept his face neutral, but inside he was frowning. The Jiang heir acted like he was the one in charge. Was he not aware of the full scope of responsibilities held by a sect’s head disciple? 

Surely Jiang Cheng was aware that, until he took over for his father, technically Wei Wuxian had more authority while they visited other sects and participated in night hunts.  By the way that Wei Wuxian just huffed and stuck his tongue out at the sect heir, Xichen was going to have to assume not. 

Maybe they had a different relationship or maybe their sect held different rules for interactions between them since they were brothers. It wasn’t his place to question other sect’s dealings, but it was a curious thing. 

Xichen briefly glanced over at his brother. Lan Zhan’s jaw was clenched slightly and he was staring into space, avoiding everyone. 

“Let’s get started then.” Xichen said, turning and walking away. 

If he noticed how Wei Wuixan somehow got placed between Wangji and himself, leaving Jiang Cheng to trail after them, he didn’t say anything.

He let his brother have his moment of protectiveness. From what, Xichen was unsure, but it was adorable, so Xichen let it continue. 

As they walked toward Caiye Town, Xichen mused about how he was going to bring up Wangji’s relationship with Wei Wuxian to his uncle. 

From the looks of it, Wei Wuxian was going to be part of his brother’s life so he would need his uncle to not say anything untoward about Wei Wuxian. His uncle would just have to accept that Wei Wuxian was going to be around. 

They arrived at Caiye Town a little over an hour later. 

Xichen led them to a dock on the southern side of the pier where several small boats were waiting. 

He and Su She were on one, Wangji took his own, and the Jiang disciples took the third for themselves. 

Lan Zhan kept a close eye on Wei Ying this time around. 

He knew what was coming, but he didn’t want to take the chance of things changing and Wei Ying getting harmed. 

“What’s the history of the water ghouls?” Jiang Cheng asked. 

Xichen explained the abrupt increase of drowning incidents over the last week and the local call for help. 

“Hey, Lan Zhan!” Wei Ying yelled, catching everyone’s attention. 

Wei Ying grabbed the paddle of his boat and used it to hit the water, adding a little bit of spiritual power behind it to send a wave of water at the younger Jade. 

Lan Zhan lifted into the air at once, using his sword to hover above the water. 

Xichen frowned. Now was not the time to - oh. 

Two water demons slithered off of the bottom of Lan Zhan’s boat. 

As soon as Lan Zhan was off of the boat, Wei Wuxian sent his sword flying toward the demons. It impaled one, flying into the murky water below. 

With a flick of his wrist, the sword came flying back out of the water, landing firmly in his palm.

Xichen raised an eyebrow. That was a pretty advanced trick of his. To be able to manipulate a sword that far away meant that he’d spent countless hours honing his connection to the spirit in his sword. 

That ability definitely didn’t speak to a cultivator that was lazy and uncaring as the rumors would have him believe.  

“Wei Wuxian, how did you know that they were there?” Xichen asked. 

Wei Ying eagerly explained. “Lan Zhan’s was the only boat with one person, but it was sinking lower than the others. There had to be something pulling it down.” 

Xichen was impressed by the younger man’s observational skills. No wonder he’d quickly rise through the ranks as one of the top cultivators of his generation. 

Lan Zhan gently settled on the boat with Wei Ying and Jiang Cheng. 

“Well done, Wei Ying.” Lan Zhan said quietly, enjoying the bright smile he received in return. 

“Next time just saying something instead of throwing water at an heir of one of the great clans.” Jiang Cheng hissed, unaware of the frowns sent his way from Lan Zhan and Lan Xichen. 

“I didn’t want it to know I was aware of its presence, so I couldn’t warn Lan Zhan properly.” Wei Ying said patiently. 

“Still, if you cause trouble for our clan while we are here, you know how Mother will react.” Jiang Cheng warned. 

He seemed to ignore the very subtle flinch Wei Ying gave at his harsh words. 

Just as Xichen was about to reprimand the Jiang heir for his callous words to his brother, the water below them started moving rapidly.

Their boats were jerked around harshly as the lake seemed to open up into a swirling hole in the middle. 

Water splashed over the sides of the boats, their feet and clothes getting wet. 

Wei Wuxian studied the water. 

“What’s going on?” Su She screamed as a wave pitched up and over the side of his boat, soaking him. 

Xichen quickly dried himself off with a wave of his hand, sighing when Su She only managed to dry a portion of his robes. 

“This isn’t a Water Ghoul! It’s a Waterborne Abyss!” Wei Ying yelled. 

Xichen’s heart jumped into his chest. He’d brought two visiting disciples to a Waterborne Abyss. 

Shit. 

“Everyone up. We need to get out of the water.” Wei Ying said, his voice steady as he countered the pull of the water with a bit of spiritual power pushed into the oar. 

Lan Zhan lifted himself up, steady as always on his sword. 

Xichen and Jiang Cheng lifted up, keeping themselves out of the reach of the violent waters. 

Just as Wei Ying was about to pull himself up, Su She tossed his sword into the water like Wei Ying had. Only, he wasn’t able to call it back to himself. 

Su She reached for the blade, but the violent waters took the opportunity to grab hold of him and pull him overboard, 

Wei Ying dove in, his form graceful even in that moment. 

“Damn it, Wei Wuxian!” Jiang Ching cursed. “You just can’t go one minute without fucking showing off!” 

Xichen frowned. Showing off? Wei Wuxian just risked his life to save someone he barely knew. How was that showing off? How was that anything less than incredible? 

Lan Zhan dove toward the water, his hand outstretched. Xichen yelled his name, but he ignored it. 

Xichen watched his brother sink into the water after Wei Wuxian. 

The world stilled as the two brothers waited to see if either man would make a reappearance. 

A breath passed, silent even in the violence of the moment. 

Suddenly, the water’s surface erupted upward as a black and white figure flew out of the dark depths of the lake. 

 Xichen’s heart started beating again, only for his mouth to fall open. 

Lan Zhan had hold of Wei Wixian around the waist, holding him against his chest. 

Su She dangled limply from Wei Ying’s hand on the back of his collar. 

Suibian was raised above their heads, gripped firmly in Wei Ying’s free hand. 

It was then that Xichen noticed Bichen poised under their feet, holding them in the air. Their legs were entangled so that both men were able to stand on the side of the blade. 

It was… intimate. It was also the first time that Xichen had seen Lan Zhan not recoil from another’s touch since their mother’s death. 

Xichen looked over at Jiang Cheng, but it was clear the younger man didn’t understand the significance of their brothers being able to perfectly balance their energies like that. Too much or too little force by either sword would send them straight back into the Waterborne  Abyss. 

Something like that was only possible by two extremely compatible cultivators. 

In the air, Wei Ying was searching Lan Zhan’s face. 

“I thought you didn’t like touching others, Lan Zhan.” Wei Ying said softly. 

Lan Zhan shook his head. “Wei Ying is not others.” Lan Zhan replied. 

Wei Ying didn’t know how to reply in the face of Lan Zhan’s sincerity. 

“Wangji, Wei Wuxian, go to the shore. This is not something we will handle alone and Su She needs healing before we can make the journey back to Cloud Recesses.” Xichen called out. 

As soon as they landed on the shore, Xichen grabbed Su She and felt his meridians. 

Xichen didn’t fail to notice that, while they had separated, Wangji was still close enough to press his shoulder against the other young man’s. 

“I’m sorry. I got to him as quickly as I could.” Wei Wuxian said, bowing deeply to Xichen. 

Xichen frowned. “Wei Wuxian, you are the only reason he is alive. He’s weak and he will need to see the healers, but he is alive. The Lan Clan owes you greatly.” 

Wei Wuxian shook his head. “I was just doing what everyone would’ve done. I was the closest to him, so of course I tried to do something.” 

Lan Zhan shook his head subtly and Xichen let the matter drop for the time being. 

“Let’s go. I’m cold and I’m wet.” Jiang Cheng grumbled. “Wei Wuxian, help Lan Xichen carry Su She. That’s no job for a clan leader.” Jiang Cheng said demandingly. 

Xichen tsked under his breath. That was no way for a future leader to think. It was a clan leader’s obligation to help their disciples. 

Wei Wuxian jumped into action. He bounced around Jiang Cheng, slapping a talisman paper on his back as he did so. 

Instantly, Jiang Cheng was dry and visibly warmer. 

Wei Wuxian placed himself under Su She’s other arm, hoisting up more than half of the unconscious man’s weight. “It’s okay Clan Leader, you can give him to me. I’ll make sure he gets back carefully.” Wei Wuxian said earnestly with a smile. 

“Wei Ying, do not neglect yourself in the care of others.” Lan Zhan said, running a hand over Wei Ying’s arm. The glow of a warming talisman lit up Lan Zhan’s hand. 

Wei Ying’s clothes dried in an instant and his hair returned to flowing with his movements instead of dangling around his face in wet, clumpy strings. 

Wei Ying smiled up at Lan Zhan brightly. “Thank you, Lan Zhan!” 

Lan Zhan waved his brother away, taking the other side of Su She from him. “Apparently this is no job for our clan’s leader.” Lan Zhan remarked. His tone was even and his words were matter of fact, but Xichen could hear the disapproving irritation lying underneath. 

Wei Ying snorted slightly, hiding his laugh behind a cough. Xichen raised an eyebrow. Apparently Wei Wuxian could hear the snark in his brother’s words too. 

Xichen relinquished his hold of the younger disciple to his brother and Wei Wuxian. “Okay, but both of you got drenched and came into contact with the Waterborne Abyss. If you need a break, do not hesitate to say something.” 

“He’ll be fine.” Jiang Cheng dismissed, already walking away. 

Wei Wuxian smiled brightly. “He’s right, this is nothing! And it’s not like I’m carrying him alone, Lan Zhan is helping me. Lan Zhan, if you get tired, let me know and I’ll carry him back okay?” Wei Wuxian replied. 

“And same to you.” Lan Zhan replied. 

Wei Ying nodded. “Oh! Wait! We should place a repelling diagram on the lake so that no one wanders into it.” Wei Ying said, shifting his weight to free his hands. 

“What-“ Xichen’s words were lost as Wei Ying drew an array in the array and then pushed it to the lake.

A bright light glowed over the lake before settling. 

“Okay, let’s go!” Wei Wuxian cheered and started walking away from Biling Lake. 

A few minutes later, Xichen could fight off his curiosity any longer. 

“I don’t think I’ve seen anything like that. May I ask where you found such an array?” Xichen asked. 

Wei Ying chuckled. “I didn’t find it somewhere. I made it.” 

Xichen stopped. 

“You made an advanced repelling array?” Xichen asked. 

Wei Wuxian hummed. “Some of the parents at Lotus Pier were having trouble keeping their kids out of the water while they were busy. I was worried about one of the young ones falling in or trying to join the older kids before they could swim. I came up with an array that works on the subtle suggestion of repulsion.” Wei Wuxian explained. 

“So how does anyone go in the water if you use that array?” Xichen asked. 

“Oh! That was a problem until I figured out how to add in specific characters for the ones I want repelled. In this case, I want everyone to be repelled, but back home I was able to specify that anyone under 5 years old or those that can’t swim will feel repulsed by the idea of getting too close to the water. It doesn’t stop them all, but it works for the most part.” Wei Wuxian replied. 

“Clan leader Xichen, you don’t need to entertain his cheap party tricks. He needs to spend less time doodling and more time practicing his sword forms.” Jiang Cheng said from the front of the group. There was a bite to his words and they seemed practiced, like someone had said them so many times that it was ingrained in his mind as the truth. 

Wei Wuxian’s smile dimmed, only to be replaced seconds later by a bright grin. This time, however, Xichen noticed the way that the smile didn’t quite reach Wei Wuxian’s eyes. It was a platitude, a gesture to make peace without words. 

Xichen didn’t know how to respond. 

How often was his brilliance dismissed?

How often was his kindness overlooked?

How often did Wei Wuxian pretend to smile just to appease others? 

Chapter Text

Chapter 5: 

Call Me Xichen

By the time they arrived at the gates of Cloud Recesses, Xichen’s thoughts were going a thousand miles a minute. 

When had Lan Zhan noticed the discrepancies? 

Is this why Lan Zhan had become so outspoken about Wei Wuxian? xian? 

Had he noticed what was happening before everyone else? 

Was there more to it than harsh words and disrespect? 

Xichen set his jaw as they returned. He had much to think about. 

He turned to help his brother take Su She to the medical pavilion, only to find Wangji and Wei Wuxian already on their way. 

Jiang Cheng was also walking away, but he was headed toward the guest disciple dorms. 

Xichen tsked under his breath and made his way toward the medical pavilion behind the others.

When he entered the room, Su She was already on a bed being attended to. 

Lan Zhan and Wei Wuxian were on the other side of the room. 

Lan Zhan was frowning, talking quietly to a fidgeting Wei Wuxian. 

Xichen walked closer. 

“You were in the water longer than I was. At least let them look you over.” Wangji said softly. Xichen didn’t fail to notice the way his hand twitched like he wanted to reach out to Wei Wuxian, but he stopped himself. 

“I’m fine, Lan Zhan! Promise! Don’t waste the healer’s time with me. Just a warm bath and some practice will get me back to normal!” Wei Wuxian argued with a smile. 

Wangji pursed his lips. “Either you’re fine or you will become normal. You can’t have it both ways.” Lan Zhan replied. Gods damn it, why was his soulmate so fucking stubborn? 

Xichen raised an eyebrow. His brother didn’t argue with people. 

Wei Wuxian just laughed. “I’m fine. The healers don’t need to be wasted on me.” Wei Wuxian repeated. 

Wangji took a deep breath. Fuck everything. It wasn’t fair. Wei Ying was kind. He was selfless. He was righteous. What did he do to deserve this? To feel like he wasn’t worth medical attention? 

Xichen cleared his throat. “I’m sure that what my brother is trying to say is that the healer’s time would not be wasted by looking over you. You were in direct contact with a large amount of resentful energy for quite a while. You’re a guest disciple here. Please let us make sure you are okay while you are in our care.” 

Wangji internally cheered. That’s it. That’s the opinion he needed his brother to have. 

Wei Wuxian seemed to deflate a bit, looking at the healer with a nervous glance. 

“Yes, Clan Leader Xichen.” Wei Wuxian acquiesced. 

Lan Zhan nodded to his brother. 

“Healer Ziyan, would you please take a look at young Master Wei?” Lan Xichen asked. 

The healer instantly walked over, reaching out for Wei Wuxian’s hand. 

Wei Wuxian tensed, eyeing the doctor warily. 

Lan Zhan sighed and gently took his other hand in his own, squeezing it firmly. 

Wei Wuxian looked up, amazed, and squeezed back, a small grin on his lips. 

“Be calm. He will not harm you.” Lan Zhan said softly. Maybe it was a bit much. Maybe he didn’t need to be so blatant about his affection for Wei Ying in front of his brother, but frankly, he didn’t give a shit. 

The first time around, he’d let the pressures of his clan stop him from showing the man he loved exactly what he felt. The first time around, he’d allowed himself to fall prey to the assumptions and rumors from others. 

This time, he was going to make sure that the world appreciated Wei Ying. The world wasn’t worthy of his soulmate. The world didn’t deserve anything from him. 

… and if the world decided to speak against him in this lifetime, then he’d let the world burn. 

Xichen bit his lips together to keep the smile off his face. It was decided. Wei Wuxian would be becoming part of their clan in the near future. His brother had never been so open about his feelings, not even as a child. 

If Wei Ying was worth his brother’s discomfort, was worth his brother opening his heart again, then Wei Ying was worth everything . 

By the time the three looked back at the healer, he was already done and moving around. 

“Young Master Wei, you’re-“ the healer started to say. 

“Oh, I’m no young master. Please, just call me Wei Wuxian or Wuxian.” Wei Ying interrupted. 

The healer looked at the Lans to clarify. Lan Zhan nodded his head slightly. That wasn’t a battle they would win today. There was more work to be done on Wei Ying’s self-worth before he would believe that he wasn’t just the son of a servant or a shield for the Jiang heirs. 

“Fine then - Wei Wuxian, you’re quite proficient at clearing resentful energy from your meridians. More so than the average cultivator I’d say, but it may be a result of your strong golden core.” The healer said, writing something down on a piece of parchment. 

Wei Wuxian nodded. “Great so -.” Wei Wuxian started to say. 

“I’m not finished.” Healer Ziyan said with a firm look. Wei Wuixian ducked his head slightly at the reprimand. “You’re quite proficient at it, but there are still traces lingering. You will need to have Clarity played for you several times a day for the next week.” 

“But-.” Wei Wuxian said, frowning. 

“We will play for him.” Lan Zhan said firmly, giving a look to his brother. “After all, he did save one of our people.” 

Lan Xichen wanted to laugh, but held it in. “Of course we will. Why don’t we move to one of the music rooms so that we can be more comfortable?” Xichen suggested. 

Lan Zhan nodded once. “Mn.” 

Wei Wuxian looked between them several times before sighing. “Okay.” 

A few minutes later, they were seated in a comfortable room filled with several instruments.

Wei Wuxian’s eyes were filled with wonder as he looked around. 

“Woah, do you both know how to play all of these?” Wei Wuxian asked. 

Xichen tilted his head. “The basics, yes. However, once a Lan disciple finds the instrument that they like best or the one that suits them best, then they usually move onto only studying that one. Some people have liked two instruments enough to continue practicing both, but that is unusual.” 

Lan Zhan pulled out his guqin and sat down gracefully, flicking his sleeves away. 

Wei Wuxian spun into a sitting position beside him, giggling lightly as he did so. He flicked his non-existent sleeves out of the way in a parody of what Lan Zhan had just done. 

Xichen looked to see if his brother would be offended by the gesture, but Lan Zhan didn’t seem to be anything other than amused. 

Xichen could help but admire the juxtaposition of their energies. Both men were graceful, but so different in their grace. Wei Wuxian’s body moved like the wind. He was chaotic, blowing in different directions without rhyme or reason. In the same breath he could be gentle or he could be harsh of which was determined by those around him. Lan Zhan, on the other hand, was like water. He was still on the outside, but often that stillness was a mask for a raging current underneath. 

Lan Zhan’s careful playing filled the room almost immediately. 

Xichen moved to sit across from the other two. He pulled out his dizi and began to play alongside his brother.

Wei Ying seemed to settle down as the notes drifted through the room.

Xichen watched the younger man sway slightly with the music. 

It wasn’t long before Wei Ying started humming lightly along with the melody. 

Nearly an hour later, Wangji and Xichen let the notes drift off.

Wei Wuxian’s eyes were closed and he was leaning slightly against Wangji’s shoulder. 

When the music stopped, he blinked slowly a couple of times and sat up straight. “If someone whistles the notes with the right intention, do you think it would have the same effect as the dizi?” Wei Wuxian asked excitedly, all traces of tiredness gone. 

Xichen frowned. He hadn’t ever read anything like that before. A whistle? 

He supposed it could work, but it was highly unlikely. 

“To be honest, young master Wei, I’m unsure how to answer you. It’s never been discussed before.” Xichen replied. 

Wei Wuxian shrugged. “You should investigate it. It could lead you to being credited with a new cultivation method, even if it’s the subset of your current one.” 

Xichen raised an eyebrow. “The idea was yours, would you not receive the credit? I’m sure your sect would appreciate the recognition that your skill set would bring to the clan.” 

Wei Wuxian shook his head. “Oh, you don’t want me to play. You know how loud and annoying I can be without the addition of an instrument. Could you imagine me with a dizi? No. That’s a terrible idea. I already burden the Jiangs, I don’t need to make them even more miserable.” He laughed as if his words were a joke, but Xichen could hear the echo of someone else’s words in the younger man’s tone. 

“I’m sure that’s not the case. You are one of the best cultivators of your generation and the head disciple. I doubt anyone would consider you a burden.” Xichen replied softly. 

Wei Wuxian just laughed. 

Xichen looked at his brother, a concerned furrow present in his brow. 

Wangji didn’t reply, choosing to stay quiet. 

His silence was enough. 

Xichen’s jaw clenched. Who would deny this young man's talent? Who exactly had filled his head with this nonsense about being a burden? If anything, he was a boun to his clan, an asset. Any clan would be lucky to host the young cultivator's talents. 

“Well be that as it may, you are not at home, so if you would like to learn to play an instrument while you are here, then I will see to it that you learn.” Xichen said. If the Jiang didn't want him, then the Lan would gladly take him and allow him to flourish. 

Wei Wuixian’s eyes lit up. “Are you sure? I’m sure I’ll be horrible at it. I tried to play once, but I sounded like a dying cat. I wouldn’t want to waste the teacher’s time.” 

Xichen shook his head. “As the one that would be your teacher, I will determine how badly you sound, okay?" He said. 

Wei Wuxian glanced at Lan Zhan, looking for answers. He turned back to Xichen. "Zewu Jun, you can't possibly want to waste your time teaching a guest disciple how to play an instrument. I'm sure you have much more important things to deal with than my antics." 

Xichen shook his head and put on his political smile. "Allow me to determine whether or not it would be a waste of my time. I am more than capable of managing my time and expectations." 

Lan Zhan nodded softly. “Brother is a good teacher and an excellent dizi player. You would learn much from him.” 

Wei Wuxian seemed to hesitate. “I would love to learn from a talented player such as yourself, but you have to promise to not waste your time on me. If I’m horrible, just tell me and we can stop.” 

“I thank you for your concern about my time, but I have a feeling that you will not struggle nearly as much as you seem to believe you will.” Xichen replied confidently. 

“Okay, but I’ve warned you.” Wei Wuxian joked. 

Xichen stood up and searched through the beginner dizis, looking for one that would suit Wei Wuxian. 

His attention was abruptly pulled to another presence beside him. 

His brother had abandoned his spot to stand beside him. 

Just as he was about to ask what his brother was doing, his brother reached up to the top shelf. 

Lan Zhan pulled a long, green jade box off of the topmost shelf, waving his hand to get rid of the dust that coated the top of it. 

Xichen’s eyes widened. 

He knew that box. He’d been the one to place it on that shelf so many years ago. 

Laying inside the box was Lan Zhan’s dizi, a gift from their mother. He hadn’t touched it since her death. 

Lan Zhan didn’t look at his brother as he returned to an eagerly awaiting Wei Wuxian. 

He flicked his sleeves out of his way and sat down on his cushion gracefully. 

Wei Wuxian eyed the box with great intrigue. 

“Wangji…” Xichen started to say. 

“Wei Ying, this dizi belongs to me. I haven’t used it in many years. Would you like to try it?” Lan Zhan asked. 

He opened the box carefully, setting the ornate lid aside. 

A beautiful, jade dizi was sitting on a bed of silk. There was a carving of two small bunnies with their heads pressed together on the end. 

Wei Ying looked up at Lan Zhan’s face in shock. “Are you sure?” 

Lan Zhan nodded. “I know Wei Ying will take care of it.” Lan Zhan replied. 

Xichen’s breath was caught in his throat at the sight of the smile Wei Wuxian gave Lan Zhan as he gently pulled the instrument out of its box. 

“Join us here tomorrow afternoon and we will begin your lessons.” Xichen said, breaking the eye contact between his brother and Wei Wuxian. 

Wei Wuxian bowed in reply. “Thank you, Sect Leader Lan Xichen.” 

Xichen shook his head. “Please, call me Xichen-ge.”

Lan Zhan turned a grateful look towards his brother.  Hook, line, and sinker. 

“Thank you.” He mouthed. 

Xichen nodded his head slightly. 

Anything for his brother’s happiness. 

Chapter Text

Chapter 6: 

Things Have Changed 

Wei Wuxian retired to his room, a smile on his lips. 

Lan Zhan turned to see his brother gently cleaning his dizi. 

He was about to leave when a thought occurred to him. 

Nothing was abnormal about that, except his brother didn’t play the dizi.

In the whirlwind of showing up back in time his attention to the little details must’ve lapsed. 

It was a mistake he would not allow to happen again. 

“Brother, when did you switch to the dizi? You normally prefer the Xiao.” Lan Zhan asked as soon as they were alone. He kept his voice conversational even if he was panicking on the inside. 

Xichen looked confused. “What do you mean, Wangji? You know that my xiao was broken weeks ago.” 

Lan Zhan frowned. No, he did not know that. When did that happen? 

“I apologize, Xichen, I must’ve been distracted with the arrival of the guest disciples. Did you figure out what happened to it? I thought it had protective charms on it to prevent it from breaking.” Lan Zhan replied, trying to cover his tracks. 

Xichen looked concerned with Lan Zhan’s apparent lack of attention, but shook his head. “No, I went into my room one night and it was lying there, shattered on the ground. I thought maybe the wind had caught it. My door had been left open when that storm raged through Cloud Recesses.” 

“Storm?” Wangji asked. 

“Oh, that was the night you weren’t feeling your best. You may have slept through it. It was as if we’d angered the gods. Winds from every direction whipped through Cloud Recesses, but it was gone in less than the time it takes to burn incense. Just as quickly as it appeared, the wind was gone.” Xichen replied. 

Wangji nodded, his thoughts busy with this reveal. The night he’d been sent back in time. Had the storm been a result of him coming back or the reason he’d come back? 

But why had the Xiao in his brother’s home shattered? It wasn’t that special. It had been a gift from - ah. 

“Is it able to be fixed?” Lan Zhan asked. 

Xichen shook his head. “I have commissioned another to be made, but that one is gone.” 

“I’m sorry, Xichen, I know how much that Xiao meant to you.” Lan Zhan replied. “Why not play one of the clan’s xiao’s? What made you decide to play the dizi?” Lan Zhan asked. 

Xichen smiled slightly. “It wasn’t your fault, Wangji. No need for apologies.” Lan Zhan didn’t correct his brother, but he couldn’t help but think he was slightly responsible for the damage done to his brother’s chosen cultivation tool. “Plus, it’s good for me to branch out once in a while. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed playing the dizi. When I was looking for a spare, I remembered how you and I used to practice the dizi together. It made me sentimental I guess.” Xichen said with a gentle smile. 

Wangji hummed. His brother was far more sentimental than he was, so it wasn’t out of the realm of possibility… 

However, it was something he’d need to keep an eye on. If things continued to change, he wouldn’t know what to expect. If he couldn’t predict what would happen, Wei Ying would be at risk. 

He needed to think. Something about that xiao had been important enough for whatever, whoever, had sent him back to be worth shattering that night. 

“Excuse me, Xichen. It is almost nine.” Wangji said with a respectful bow of his head. 

Xichen hid his chuckle under his breath and nodded, bowing his head. “Goodnight brother.” 

“Goodnight, Xichen.” Wangji replied. 

As soon as he arrived at the Jingshi, he pulled out his notes and began writing. 

What was the significance of the Xiao? 

• It was a gift from Meng Yao after the young man had gone to live with the Nie clan.
• Nie Huaisang had found the younger man during his travels and had pitied him enough to bring him home to assist his brother. 
  
• Since then, after meeting the shy man, Xichen had become close with him, treating him as a brother. 

• It was said to have several enchantments on it - including an unbreakable charm to prevent it from getting damaged on a night hunt 

• Meng Yao had had it commissioned by someone outside of the clan’s purview, a third party that neither he nor the Nies knew of. 

• Xichen had rarely set it down since, keeping it close even in sleep, seemingly attached to the instrument. 

Lan Zhan’s eyes narrowed. 

He’d long suspected Meng Yao to be more than he seemed, but he wouldn’t have intentionally harmed Xichen, the man he claimed as his brother… would he? 

Lan Zhan growled, crumpling the paper in his hands. 

A burst of energy snapped out of him, burning the parchment to ashes. 

He needed to see the pieces of his brother’s Xiao. 

That night as the moon shone over Cloud Recesses, Lan Zhan donned a pair of deep blue robes and snuck out of the Jingshi. 

People forgot that Lan Zhan was the one that organized the watch schedule and, therefore, knew exactly how to move through his sect’s lands without being noticed. 

It’s not his fault people just assumed that he was too stiff to do something like this. 

He found himself in the treasury without much issue. 

His ribbon warmed in response to the wards placed on the building. 

He gently eased the door open, his family ribbon creating an opening in the wards for him. 

He lit a small lantern with a flick of his fingers, a trick the other Wei Ying had taught him. 

It didn’t take long for him to find Xichen’s xiao.

The xiao was broken into fine pieces, some so small that they could only be characterized as dust, others the size of a fingernail or button. 

There was one piece, however, that stood out from the rest. It was the only chunk not filled with shatter lines or scratches.

He lined up what he could of the tiny pieces, determined to find where that piece had belonged. 

Slowly, it started coming together until the only place the larger piece could fit was at the mouth of the xiao, specifically, the portion that his brother so often rested against his chin while playing. 

Lan Zhan picked up the piece again, studying it closely. 

His jaw clenched as he noticed an engraving on the inside of the shard. 

影响 

“Influence.” Lan Zhan whispered aloud, his eyes blazing with fury. 

Once upon a time, Lan Zhan would have given Meng Yao the benefit of the doubt, allowing him a chance to speak his case. 

However, now Lan Zhan was painfully aware of how easily other people betrayed those they claimed they cared for - the Jiangs against Wei Ying, his clan against him, and now - Meng Yao against Xichen. 

He tucked the piece of jade in his sleeve. Wei Ying was far more talented at reading these things than he was. 

He left the treasury, extinguishing the lantern’s light and letting the wards shimmer into effect behind him. 

It felt like he’d just laid down when his body woke him the next morning at five. 

He quickly changed, grabbed the shard, and made his way into the courtyard. He needed to become stronger quickly if he was going to stand a chance against those that see his soulmate dead. 

As he worked on his forms, allowing his core to expand with every inhale, he let his mind wander. 

What would have happened had he told Wei Ying what their bows in the Cold Pond in front of Lan Yi meant? 

Would his family have stood by him if they’d known of their marriage - even as nontraditional as it had been? 

Would they have allowed him to return to the Jiangs knowing what awaited him? 

Would they have scorned him for doing what he thought was necessary? For forging a new path when all others were closed to him? 

Lan Zhan shook his head. Lingering on those thoughts would only distract him from his goals. Right now, he needed to focus on getting Wei Ying out of the Jiangs’ hold.

Everything else could wait. 

“Lan Zhan.” Wei Ying’s voice filled his ears. 

He couldn’t help the small smile that pulled at his lips. 

“Wei Ying.” He replied, turning to see Wei Ying smiling bright at him and leaning on his sword. 

Lam Zhan glanced around and noticed that they were alone. 

Perfect. 

“Wei Ying, you’re familiar with inanimate inscriptions, right?” Lan Zhan asked. 

Wei Ying nodded, a spark of excitement lighting in his eyes. 

Lan Zhan carefully pulled out the shard from his brother’s xiao. 

Wei Ying immediately reached for it, pulling it close to his face to study it. 

Lan Zhan felt a burst of affection flow through his body as Wei Ying studied the inscription. 

“I’m not sure what this was a part of, but whatever it was, this inscription was meant to influence someone. There’s an extra little mark here that turns this from a universal, generalized influence sigil to an influence of loyalty sigil.” Wei Ying said with a crease in his brow. 

“How malicious would it be if placed on a cultivator’s instrument?” Lan Zhan asked. 

“It’s not the worst I’ve seen, but this was definitely intended for mind manipulation.” Wei Ying handed the piece back to Lan Zhan and titled his head. “Lan Zhan, where did you find that?” Wei Ying asked, his eyes narrowed slightly, watching Lan Zhan closely.

Lan Zhan sighed. He should’ve remembered how quick his soulmate was. He’d never met someone else so easily able to decipher contextual clues… and, unfortunately, while he no longer cared about lying to the world for their hypocrisy, he flat out refused to lie to the one he would call his husband. 

“I have reasonable suspicion that someone intentionally inscribed this on my brother’s xiao. I only saw it yesterday when I saw the pieces of his broken xiao in the treasury.” Lan Zhan replied. Okay, so it wasn’t technically a lie. 

Wei Ying studied him closely before nodding and allowing his smile to return to his lips, effectively breaking the tension. “Well then, we should be grateful that it broke. Who knows what would’ve happened had this sigil remained in place over the years.” 

Lan Zhan nodded. “Thank you, Wei Ying.” He said sincerely. 

Wei Ying nodded. “Hey, we are friends. You can always come to me!” He said, tugging lightly on Lan Zhan’s sleeve. 

A lifetime ago, he would’ve been too stunned to say anything, too shy in his own budding feelings that he would’ve turned away from Wei Ying and left him without any explanation. Maybe a gruff “shameless” thrown in for good measure.

This time, he understood what he was feeling and he understood what it was going to take to make Wei Ying understand what he felt. 

Lan Zhan tilted his head down and softened his gaze. He reached up and gently set a hand on Wei Ying’s shoulder. 

“And you can always come to me, Wei Ying. No matter what happens, no matter what you’re facing, you can rely on me to be there. I will protect you, Wei Ying.” Lan Zhan answered. 

Wei Ying’s breath caught in his throat. 

It was the first time that he could remember someone promising to protect him . 

He’d always known that his job was to protect his sect, especially Jiang Yanli and Jiang Cheng.  

He knew what the rumors said about him, but he wasn’t stupid. He was well aware that he wasn’t ever going to be seen as a part of the family, not unless it benefited them. 

It was okay, though. They’d given him enough already. 

He owed them his golden core, his home, his life.

Sooner or later he would’ve died on the streets - whether by lack of food or due to the elements, he wasn’t sure, but he would’ve died.

It was the least he could do. What was a little protection in repayment for taking him in off the streets?

Still, Lan Zhan’s words caused a warmth to spread through his chest that he’d never felt before. 

Here was the peerless Second Jade of the Lan Clan telling him that he would protect Wei Ying, the mere son of a servant. 

Words seemed to escape him as he tried to come up with something to say in the face of Lan Zhan’s blatant show of support for him. 

He looked into Lan Zhan’s eyes, looking for any sign of deceit. 

He found nothing by genuine care and something else he couldn’t quite put a name to… yet. 

Was it hot? He felt hot.

Why was his heart beating so fast? 

When words refused to come, Wei Ying settled for a bright smile. 

He didn’t know why things felt easier with Lan Zhan, why the weight of the world disappeared from his shoulders whenever he was beside Lan Zhan, but he was determined to keep the other man in his life for as long as Lan Zhan would put up with him. 

Chapter Text

Chapter 7: 

History Has Changed 

Lan Zhan watched Wei Ying float around the grounds, laughing loudly as he bounced between his friends. 

He’d managed to get almost all of the guest disciples playing a game of… well, Lan Zhan wasn’t quite sure what they were playing. 

Wei Ying was bouncing around with talismans, trying to stick them onto the other disciples. 

The other disciples were tasked with avoiding him, laughing as he flipped and danced between them. 

Even Jin Zixuan had been convinced to play, abandoning the strict decorum of his station and playing with the heirs his age. 

He smiled softly as Wei Ying danced towards him. 

It was good to see Wei Ying so free, so genuinely happy and unburdened. 

Wei Ying grabbed his hands, a mischievous look in his eyes. 

He was beautiful in that moment. 

Lan Zhan raised an eyebrow and grabbed Wei Ying by the wrists, pulling his arms straight up in the air. 

Wei Ying laughed, his cheeks flushed as Lan Zhan pulled the talisman out of Wei Ying’s hand. 

He flipped it over to see a laughing charm written out on the yellow paper. 

He raised an eyebrow, sticking the charm to Wei Ying’s forehead playfully. 

Wei Ying burst into giggles, blowing at the paper attached to his forehead. 

After a few seconds, Lan Zhan pulled the paper off of Wei Ying’s skin and let Wei Ying’s arms fall to his sides. 

He looked up to find the rest of the disciples staring at them with wide eyes. 

Lan Zhan huffed and rolled his eyes.

Why were they so surprised? He wasn’t a statue.

As he turned to see his uncle and brother staring at him in the same, surprised manner, he guessed that maybe his actions were a bit too obvious. 

He nodded toward the others. “Go have fun, but be mindful of the rules. If you laugh too loudly you’re going to get in trouble for disturbing the peace.” 

Wei Ying pouted. “I live to break rules, Lan Zhan.” He replied. 

Lan Zhan chuckled. “I’m aware. But if you break too many, you’ll have to leave and then what would I do?” 

Wei Ying’s eyes widened and a deep blush set into his cheeks. 

He stuttered an excuse and ran off to rejoin the others, quickly distracting them and leading them away from the smirking Lan. 

He nodded to his brother and uncle, walking away towards the Cold Pond. He needed some time to meditate by himself. 

Lan Xichen wanted to laugh. 

When had his brother become so shameless ?

He turned to his uncle. “I think it’s time we had some tea, don’t you think, Uncle?” Lan Xichen asked. 

Lan Qiren watched his youngest nephew leave and sighed. “Yeah, I guess it is.” 

Lan Xichen watched his Uncle run a hand over his beard, deep in thought. 

“You know what I’m going to say.” Lan Xichen said. 

Lan Qiren shook his head, stubbornly. “There has to be some other explanation.” 

Lan Xichen chuckled. “Uncle, have you ever seen Lan Wangji so enamored by someone before? He willingly lets Wei Wuxian touch him. He doesn’t get annoyed with Wei Wuxian’s noise. He smiles when Wei Wuxian is around. I don’t see how there is any other explanation other than -” 

“Don’t say it.” 

“He’s in love with Wei Wuxian, Uncle. Whether we agree or not, whether we support him or not, he’s in love with Wei Wuxian.” Lan Xichen said. 

He’d never seen his brother so free as when he was with Wei Wuxian. If he needed to step up to help his brother get his happy ending, then he was going to. 

“Really? Wei Wuxian? Why did it have to be Wei Wuxian?” Lan Qiren groaned. 

Lan Xichen raised an eyebrow as his uncle hunched forward over the tea table in frustration. 

“Is it really so bad if it is?” He asked. 

“You don’t know what his mother was like.” Lan Qiren replied. 

“But we do know what Wei Wuxian is like. He’s a kind-hearted, if not mischievous boy that genuinely cares for Lan Wangji. He acts like nothing bothers him even when it does and he’s incredibly gifted. There are worse matches for Lan Wangji than him.” Lan Xichen responded softly. 

Lan Qiren gave him a serious look. “You really support your brother getting involved with that miscreant?” 

Lan Xichen gave Lan Qiren his own serious look. “If it means that my brother continues to smile for the first time since our mother’s death, then I’d support him marrying just about anyone. Wei Wuxian makes  him happy and that is what matters to me, Uncle.” 

Lan Qiren studied his oldest nephew. “When did you get so wise?” He asked, defeated. 

“When I started having weekly tea with you.” He said with a smile. 

Lan Qiren just shook his head. “You’re not usually this sarcastic. I’m blaming Wei Wuxian.” 

Lan Xichen just laughed. “What now?” He asked. 

Lan Qiren sighed. “Now we talk to that love-sick brother of yours and see what he wants to do about it.” 

Lan Xichen sent Lan Wangji a request for him to join them for dinner and tea afterward. He didn’t want his uncle to have any additional time to think about his…dislike of the young Jiang disciple. 

Lan Wangji showed up exactly on time. The meal passed in silence as per the Lan tradition. When the were finished eating and the tea was poured, Lan Qiren studied his nephew. 

“Brother, how do you feel about Wei Wuxian?” Lan Xichen asked. 

Lan Zhan’s movements stopped, staring at his brother. Part of him wanted to deny it, that embarrassed, reserved part of him wanted to keep his feelings to himself as he was so used to. 

The other part of him wanted to tell his family exactly what he felt for Wei Wuxian. He wanted to scream how he was so in love that being apart hurt - how he was so fucking scared that his love was going to get hurt again that he’d contemplated just taking him and running. 

Last time, he’d stayed silent in his love for Wei Ying. 

This time would be different. 

This time had to be different. 

And if he had to open up about his feelings - ugh- then that’s exactly what he would do. 

No matter how uncomfortable it made him. 

“I care for him.” Lan Zhan replied. 

Lan Qiren raised an eyebrow. “How do you care for him?” 

Lan Zhan let his head bow. “I love him.” 

Lan Xichen hummed. “You think he’s your one?” He asked. 

Lan Zhan nodded. “I know he is.” 

Lan Qiren let out a deep sigh. “Great.” 

Lan Zhan shot his uncle a look. 

“Uncle, you know that Lans only love once. If he has found his one, then all we can do is support him and be thankful that he found him so early in life.” Lan Xichen said. 

“But does it have to be him?” His uncle groaned. 

Lan Xichen frowned. He’d never seen his uncle so… petulant. 

“Do not hold grudges.” Lan Zhan said, his voice filled with anger. 

“Lan Wangji -” Lan Xichen started to say, his eyes wide as his brother looked their uncle in the eye and spoke firmly. 

“Do not speak ill of others. Do not assume. Do not pass judgment before all information has been presented.” His voice was raised and he was staring at his uncle in unmasked disgust. 

“Wangji, that’s enough -” Lan Qiren said. 

But Lan Zhan wasn’t finished. “Do not look down on the youth. Do not hold yourself superior to others. Do not oppress those of different views for they may hold the key to an answer not yet found. Do not belittle those in your care.” 

Lan Xichen couldn’t believe what he was seeing. His quiet, mild-mannered brother was actively scolding their uncle with the Lan Clan rules. 

“Do not turn your back on the facts just because you find them to be hard to accept. Do your due diligence and ensure the safety of all that enter the lands of the ancestors. Take up for those that have no one to stand for themselves.” Lan Zhan said. 

He took a deep breath. 

“I get it, Wangji.” Lan Qiren said. "Sit down." 

“But above all, act only in righteousness as the mark of a good man is the one that does what is right even when it is hard.” Lan Zhan finished. 

Lan Qiren studied the young man in front of him. Wangji’s back was straight, his eyes steady on Lan Qiren’s own. 

“Uncle, I don’t expect you to like Wei Ying. You are two very different people.” Lan Zhan said. Lan Qiren nodded. “However, if you can’t at least be civil and allow Wei Ying peace and safety in your presence, then I will not hesitate to leave with him.” 

Lan Xichen’s eyes widened. His brother would leave? As in leave Cloud Recesses?

“What do you mean, leave?” Lan Qiren asked. 

“I mean that I would take Wei Ying and disappear from the cultivation world. You would never see me again.” Lan Zhan answered steadily. 

Lan Qiren’s jaw was set. “Do you really think he’s worth it? To give up everything that you've worked for?” Lan Qiren asked. 

Lan Zhan looked his uncle straight in the eye and nodded. “He is and I think if you put aside your pride, you’d realize it too.” He said. 

Lan Xichen sent a look towards his Uncle, waiting for the man to disagree or become angry with Wangji. 

He was surprised when his uncle just ran a hand over his beard, deep in thought. 

“Is your newfound disrespect a side effect of spending time with Wei Wuxian?” He asked. 

Lan Zhan shook his head. “My newfound disrespect as you refer to it is a result of finally seeing the hypocrisy of a clan that claims righteousness only to mock, belittle, and turn away those that need help the most.” 

Lan Qiren frowned. “What do you mean those that need help the most? Are we still referring to Wei Wuxian? He’s the head disciple of the Jiang clan. I doubt he needs much help from us.” 

Lan lifted his tea to his lips, an eyebrow raised. “Are you positive? Are you absolutely sure that things are exactly what they seem?” 

Lan Qiren thought about the day in class when he’d watched Wei Wuxian solve puzzle after puzzle in complete silence. 

Lan Xichen had a thoughtful look on his face. “The day at the lake. Wei Ying dove in to save one of our disciples. He didn’t even think about his own safety, rushing in to help someone he didn’t know. Then when he was safe, he apologized for not getting to Su She sooner.” He said. 

Lan Zhan stayed silent. He’d let Su She live for one reason and one reason only, to make his brother witness the good in Wei Ying’s heart. The sniveling piece of shit would die soon, but for now, he was needed to make his family appreciate his lover. 

“Jiang Cheng also said some things that were… odd.” Lan Xichen added. 

Lan Qiren raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean, odd?” He asked. 

Lan Zhan snorted, but shook his head, motioning for Lan Xichen to continue. 

“He acted as if Wei Wuxian’s actions were shameful, like his bravery was an attempt to show off. Then he told me not to help Wei Wuxian carry Su She back to town, that it wasn’t a clan leader’s job to carry his disciples.” Lan Xichen said. 

“What else?” Lan Qiren asked. That type of attitude was dangerous. It’s what led to people like Wen Rouhan and Jin Guangshan. 

“When we got back to Cloud Recesses, he walked away without checking on his brother. He didn’t care that his brother had dove into a Waterborne Abyss only a little while before. At least, he didn’t seem to.” Lan Xichen finished. 

“What are you saying, Lan Xichen?” Lan Qiren asked. 

“I’m saying that Wangji’s right. Things aren’t what they seem.” He answered. 

Lan Qiren looked disturbed by the news, his brow furrowed as he stared at the tea in his cup. 

“So what do you want to do, Wangji?” He asked. 

Lan Zhan’s eyes widened. His uncle had never asked him what he wanted. Not once.

“I just want you to give him a chance.” He answered. “I want you to let me try to protect him.” 

Lan Qiren nodded. “Long term. What’s your goal long term? Marriage?” Lan Qiren asked. 

“The elders would never allow that.” Lan Zhan replied, bowing his head. 

“Forget about the elders.” Lan Qiren said. Lan Xichen looked at him like he’d grown a second head. “What do you want? ” Lan Qiren asked. 

“I want to marry Wei Ying in front of the ancestors. I want to night hunt at his side and protect those that can’t protect themselves.” He replied, hoping that his ears didn’t give away his embarrassment. 

“Okay.” Lan Qiren replied. 

“Okay?” Lan Xichen asn Lan Zhan asked at the same time. 

“Okay. I will give him a chance. I want to see what you both seem to see. I want to speak with him. I want to understand why you’re both so infatuated by a troublemaker that can’t sit still to save his own life.” Lan Qiren said. 

Lan Zhan couldn’t help the tears that sprung to his eyes. Relief soared through his veins. 

He moved around the table and bowed lowly to his uncle. “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.” He said between gasping breaths. 

He couldn’t believe it. 

His uncle was giving Wei Ying a chance. 

He was actually giving him a chance. 

The future Lan Zhan had been dreaming of ever since he’d come back to this time was finally within sight. 

He actually had a chance to save Wei Ying now. 

He let out a gasping sob as that reality hit him. 

He had a chance. 

Wei Ying wouldn’t die alone this time. 

Wei Ying wouldn’t be betrayed and cast out. 

Wei Ying wouldn’t know the pain of cutting open his soul and ripping his future away to save someone that didn’t deserve it.

He was going to save Wei Ying. 

That night, a soft red light floated out of Lan Zhan’s room towards the guest disciple rooms. 

It zipped through Cloud Recesses, stopping in front of several rooms as if it was searching for something. 

Finally, it settled on the Jiang dorms, floating through the open window. 

It hovered over a sleeping Wei Ying before settling over Wei Ying’s heart. 

No one was awake to see the soft glow that emanated from Wei Ying as the red light mixed with the gold of his Golden Core before settling back into his chest.

Chapter Text

Chapter 8: 

A Promise 

Lan Zhan was meditating in the back hills when he felt the presence of someone else. His hands floated gently over his guqin. His eyes were closed as he let the peace of his home settle him. 

He tensed briefly, before the melodic laughter of Wei Ying’s joy reached his ears. His shoulders relaxed and he let his lips curl into a gentle smile. 

Wei Ying’s arms wrapped around his neck from behind, the younger man’s face pressed against his neck. 

Lan Zhan let his head tilt to the side slightly to give Wei Ying more room. 

“You haven’t thrown me off of you?” Wei Ying asked. 

Lan Zhan hummed. “Mn.” He said. “Wei Ying means no harm to me.” 

“How do you know? I could totally be preparing to kidnap you and hold you for ransom. The Second Jade of Lan would be worth a lot of Emperor’s Smile.” Wei Ying joked. 

Lan Zhan shook his head. “Wei Ying is too good to do something like that.” He said. 

Wei Ying moved off of Lan Zhan’s back to sit beside him.

Lan Zhan noticed that Wei Ying’s legs were pressed against his. Wei Ying wrapped his arms around one of Lan Zhan’s and rested his head on the older man’s shoulder. 

“Why do you do that, Lan Zhan?” He asked. 

Lan Zhan frowned and turned to look at Wei Ying. 

“What do you mean?” Lan Zhan asked. 

“Why do you always see the best in me? Why do you always assume that I’m better than what everyone else knows me to be?” Wei Ying asked. 

Lan Zhan shook his head. “They don’t know you. They assume things about you.” He replied. 

“But you know me?” He asked. 

Lan Zhan looked Wei Ying in the eye. “Wei Ying, when I look at you, I see someone that cares so much about the person beside him that he forgets to care about himself. I see someone that puts his happiness and comfort aside to make sure that the people he cares about never feel like he does.” Lan Zhan answered softly. 

“And how do I feel?” He asked. 

“Like you’re somehow worth less than the people around you. Like your life is expendable.” Lan Zhan replied. 

“I don’t-” Wei Ying started to say. He sighed. “It’s not like that.” He said. 

Lan Zhan raised an eyebrow. 

“It’s not.” Wei Ying reiterated. 

“I didn’t say anything.” Lan Zhan replied. 

“No, but your face did. You don’t believe me. It’s not that I feel like I’m expendable… I just…” Wei Ying struggled to find the right words. 

“I’m not going to tell you not to care for those you love, but I wish that you’d care for yourself just a fraction of how much you care for them. It hurts to watch you throw yourself at the mercy of those that wouldn’t do the same for you. You are more than a shield, Wei Ying.” Lan Zhan said. 

Wei Ying sat back and observed Lan Zhan for several moments. “Why do you care about me so much?” He asked. 

“Because Wei Ying is good. ” He said. 

“Would you think me good even if I stepped off of the righteous path?” He asked softly. “If one day I did something that the rest of the world couldn’t accept?” He asked. 

Lan Zhan’s brow pinched. “Yes, Wei Ying, because even if you stepped off the righteous path, it would be because you knew that there was no other way to remain righteous. The true righteous path is the one chosen for righteous reasons, not the one proclaimed to be righteous by those that are not just or kind.” 

Wei Ying stared into Lan Zhan’s eyes. “You speak such kind words to the son of a servant, young master. People may read into your actions and make assumptions about your character.” 

Lan Zhan gently grabbed the side of Wei Ying’s neck, pulling him forward. He paused, barely a breath away, waiting for some sort of signal from Wei Ying to stop. “Then let them.” He growled lightly. 

When he didn’t pull away, Lan Zhan pressed his lips against Wei Ying’s, kissing him as deeply as he could. He let everything he felt flow through the kiss. 

Wei Ying was shocked at first, unable to respond, but within a few seconds, he was kissing back just as passionately. 

Wei Ying’s arms came up to wrap around Lan Zhan’s neck as he gasped into Lan Zhan’s mouth. 

Lan Zhan rolled them, hovering above Wei Ying with one arm while his other hand remained caressing Wei Ying’s neck. 

Lan Zhan’s control was slipping as he finally held Wei Ying in his arms again. 

He pulled away, pressing his forehead to Wei Ying’s. 

“You challenge my self-control, Wei Ying.” He said breathlessly. 

Wei Ying bit his lip, smirking up at Lan Zhan, even as his cheeks turned red. “What need is there for control?” He asked teasingly. 

Lan Zhan growled, leaning down and kissing the younger man roughly, his tongue tracing Wei Ying’s eagerly. 

Wei Ying arched up into him, gasping as their tongues fought for dominance. 

Lan Zhan pulled away once more, panting as he ached to take his lover right then and there. “I will not dishonor you by taking you before we are married, Wei Ying.” He pressed another kiss to Wei Ying’s lip. “No matter how much I want to.” 

Wei Ying’s expression grew sad. “You may have to wait forever then, Lan Zhan.” He said. 

“You don’t wish to marry me?” He asked, his heart aching at the thought. 

Wei Ying brought up his own hand to caress Lan Zhan’s cheek. “I would love nothing more, but I am the son of a servant and I owe the Jiang’s my life and service for everything that they have given me. They will not allow me to marry you. Plus, your uncle hates me.” He said. 

Lan Zhan’s eyes flashed and his jaw clenched. “You do not owe your happiness to them. You do not owe your happiness to anyone.” He said. 

Wei Ying wanted to fight against his words, but he couldn’t in the face of such sincerity. 

“Lan Zhan…” He whispered. 

“Do you want to marry me, Wei Ying?” He asked. 

Wei Ying looked Lan Zhan in the eyes. “More than I thought was possible.” He said softly. 

“Then we shall marry.” He said. 

“But your uncle…” Wei Ying started to say. 

“Let me worry about my Uncle.” He said. 

Wei Ying looked at Lan Zhan with a small smile and he nodded. 

“We will marry as long as Wei Ying wishes to marry me.” Lan Zhan said firmly. 

“I have no land to my name, nothing I have truly belongs to me.” Wei Ying said. 

“I have plenty of land.” Lan Zhan replied. 

“I do not have any dowry to offer you.” Wei Ying said. 

“I am rich.” Lan Zhan replied. 

Wei Ying held back a chuckle and raised an eyebrow. 

“I have no family.” Wei Ying said softly. 

“Then I shall give you one.” Lan Zhan answered. 

Wei Ying pulled Lan Zhan down into another kiss, tracing his tongue over Lan Zhan’s lips. 

“Then do it.” He whispered into Lan Zhan’s ear, a satisfied smirk on his lips.

Chapter Text

Chapter 9: 

Debates and Revelations 

Lan Zhan fought the urge to throw Wei Ying over the table and ravage him right then and there as the beautiful man debated his uncle statement for statement, a proud little smirk on his lips.

The Grandmaster had asked him to invite Wei Ying for tea to get to know the man that his nephew was so taken with. Wei Ying had quickly accepted the invitation, proudly proclaiming that the Grandmaster was losing his touch and would give in and learn to like him sooner or later.  

Lan Xichen leaned over and bumped his shoulder, raising his eyebrow at his brother. “I can see why you like him, brother.” He said. 

Lan Zhan’s smile dropped and he narrowed his eyes at his brother. 

Lan Xichen laughed and held his hands up. “Easy. I didn’t mean it that way.” He said softly. 

Lan Zhan hummed. “Wei Ying would be an asset to any clan he claims as his. We should only be so lucky to have him.” He replied. 

Lan Xichen held back a snort. “As long as he and uncle don’t kill each other first.” He replied. 

Lan Zhan tilted his head. “Look closely, brother. They do not argue out of anger.” He said. 

Lan Xichen frowned and turned his gaze to the two men debating whether or not it was possible to use musical cultivation to manipulate energy rather than just as a power source for blunt attacks or as a communication tool. 

Wei Ying’s eyes were bright and his lips were tilted in a small smile as he eagerly listened to the grandmaster and then returned with his own argument. 

Lan Xichen’s eyes widened when he realized his uncle’s lips were twitching in actual amusement as he listened to Wei Ying’s rants about how sound could be used to change the frequency surrounding the energy which, in theory, should manipulate the energy itself. 

He wasn’t angry with Wei Ying. He was having fun . 

“He’s having fun.” He whispered to his brother. 

Lan Zhan nodded. “Uncle is a scholar. He has not been challenged as Wei Ying challenges him in many years. They may not ever truly get along, but uncle finally sees the potential in Wei Ying.” He replied. 

“Have you even spoken to him? Does he know of your intentions with him?” Lan Xichen asked as Lan Zhan poured him some more tea. 

Lan Zhan hesitated and Lan Xichen noticed the deep red of his brother’s ears. “He- he knows.” He replied. 

Lan Xichen held back a laugh. “And?” He asked. 

Lan Zhan sat up straight and cleared his throat slightly. “And he wishes the same.” He replied. 

Lan Xichen smiled. “Congratulations brother. You are lucky to have found your person so early in life.” He said softly. 

Lan Zhan hummed. “Mn.”  

“Wei Ying, eat.” He said softly, interrupting a debate that he was sure would continue on forever unless someone stopped them. 

Wei Ying instantly nodded and took a bite of the food Lan Zhan had dished out for him while he and the Grandmaster had been speaking. 

“Thank you!” Wei Ying said happily. 

Lan Zhan nodded, “Mn. Wei Ying is welcome.” He replied. 

Lan Xichen made eye contact as they watched Lan Zhan easily redirect Wei Ying’s energy. 

The young Jiang disciple never stopped moving, but with Lan Zhan there, he seemed more at ease, like he was using Lan Zhan’s presence to ground himself. 

“Young Master Wei, while I do not agree with everything you seem to think is possible, I would hope that you continue to join us for tea.” The Grandmaster said once their meal was done. The child needed someone to redirect those theories and it was becoming clear that his nephew was content to indulge him rather than correct him. 

Wei Ying looked at Lan Zhan with a bright smile, grabbing his arm and bouncing slightly. Lan Zhan nodded and pressed his hand on top of Wei Ying’s. Settle . 

Wei Ying stopped bouncing and smiled. “I’d really like that, Grandmaster Lan… but are you sure? I am but the son of a servant. It may seem inappropriate for you to waste your time on someone of my standing. My brother is also very smart and in a much better position to debate with you.” 

Grandmaster Lan frowned. “The son of a servant? Your father was a free man when you were born. You are no son of a servant and even if he was still a servant, you are the son of Cangse Sanren, rogue cultivator that was taught by the immortal Baoshan Sanren. Her status would’ve vastly outweighed that of your father’s.  You are more than qualified to sit with us for tea.” He said firmly. 

Wei Ying’s eyes widened. “You - you knew my parents?” He asked softly. 

The Grandmaster paused. “Out of everything, that’s what you gathered from my words?” He asked. 

Wei Ying suddenly moved in front of him, bowing deeply. “Please, can you tell me anything else about them? What were they like? Did they love each other? Were they happy? Did - did they love me?” He asked, tears brimming in his eyes. 

“Wei Wuxian…” The Grandmaster stared at him in confusion. “What are you going on about? You act as if no one has ever told you about your parents before.” He replied roughly. What game was this child going on about? 

Wei Ying shook his head. “I - I, I’m not allowed to ask about them. It makes Madam Yu uncomfortable. Please, anything you could tell me would mean the world to me.” He begged. 

“What in the world are you talking about, child? Your father and Jiang Fengmian were nearly brothers. You mean to tell me that he’s never told you about your parents?” He asked. 

Wei Ying frowned and shook his head. “No, Grandmaster.” 

The Grandmaster turned to look at Lan Zhan for confirmation. 

Lan Zhan pointedly turned his gaze away, setting his jaw. He'd let his uncle draw his own conclusions. 

The Grandmaster let out a deep, angry sigh. “Your parents loved each other more than life itself. They were soulmates in every form of the word. Your father was a quiet man, but he had one person that he’d shout from the rooftops for and that was your mother. Your mother was a… free spirit. She loved to laugh and found the most inopportune ways to do so. She was a troublemaker, much like you, but she was powerful and extremely smart. There was only one person that they loved more than each other and that was you. They loved you. They loved you so much.” He said, looking Wei Ying in the eyes as he spoke. 

He would never have called Cangse a friend out loud, but she was a righteous woman. She never stood by injustice and always made sure that those around her felt like they could come to her. 

The day his brother sent himself to seclusion, Cangse came to see him. She made sure he was doing alright and offered to help him settle into his new position. She found no comfort in clan life, but she was willing to make do to help a man that had never shown her kindness.  

He much preferred the company of her husband, the quiet man providing gentle guidance and an ear for when he needed to talk, but he would not neglect the kindness Cangse showed him during that time. 

She drove him crazy with her never ending energy and crazy antics, but she was never malicious or unjust in her actions. 

Even as he ranted and raved against the majority of the Lan Clan’s rules, she upheld the most important one - she never turned from the righteous path. 

To think that their son had never heard how good they were infuriated him. 

“Wei Ying, your mother drove me crazy and she was often playing tricks - mostly on me, but she was a good woman. Your father was a patient, kind man that loved wholly and completely. He never spoke of impossibilities, only of the right thing to do to help the people around him. Your parents would be proud of the cultivator you’ve become.” He said sincerely. 

Wei Ying quickly wiped the tear that fell down his cheek as he smiled. “Thank you, Grandmaster.” He said softly. 

The older man nodded. “You may come to me with any questions you have. I cannot promise that I’ll have answers as I did not know your parents as well as some people, but I will tell you all that I know.” He promised. 

Wei Ying nodded, pushing forward to hug the Grandmaster. 

The older man stared down at the young man holding him. 

Wei Ying pulled away just as quickly and leaned into Lan Zhan’s arms. 

Lan Zhan supported him, resting his arm around Wei Ying’s waist.

As Lan Qiren and Lan Xichen watched Lan Zhan and Wei Ying walk away, Lan Qiren’s jaw clenched. 

“Wanji was right. Something is happening in Lotus Pier.” He said with narrowed eyes. 

Lan Xichen looked at his uncle. “What should we do about it?” He asked softly. 

Lan Qiren turned to his oldest nephew. “We have time before the end of the year. For now, we will figure out exactly what is happening make sure Wei Wuixan is safe.” 

Lan Xichen smiled. “You like him.” He said. 

Lan Qiren scoffed. “I do not like that miscreant!” He replied. 

Lan Xichen raised an eyebrow. “You were smiling while debating him. I haven’t seen you that engaged in a debate in many years.” He replied. 

Lan Qiren opened his mouth to protest, but sighed. “He’s still a troublemaker like his mother.” He said, raising a hand to touch his beard. 

“But his mother was a righteous, good woman.” Lan Xichen said teasingly. “Is it not possible that he is a righteous man?” 

Lan Qiren sighed. “Good night, Xichen.” He said, a clear dismissal. 

Lan Xichen laughed the entire walk back to his own home. 

He felt lighter these days. Ever since the storm that had wrecked his xiao, he felt like he was freer, like his thoughts were less burdened. He didn’t understand it, but he felt like he was himself again, like some unknown pressure had been taken from his shoulders. 

He didn’t realize that many miles away, a man sat up in his own bed, a frown in his features as he wondered why Xichen had not reached out to him in weeks. 

He frowned, looking at the stone tablet with the engraving on it. 

影响 

Had something messed with the spell? 

He shook his head. That was impossible.

As long as Xichen was using the xiao, the spell should be getting stronger, not weaker.

Every time the inscription was saturated with power, the spell would tighten its hold on Lan Xichen’s heart. Soon, Lan Xichen’s heart would be completely his. 

The man’s eyes narrowed. 

He needed to make sure everything was going to plan. 

He needed to make sure Lan Xichen would support him when he made his bid for power. 

He would need the endorsement of the Lan Clan for everyone to believe him. 

He growled, throwing the blankets off of his legs. 

He walked over to his desk and penned a letter. He sealed it carefully and walked to the mail room, slipping it beside the letter Nie Mingjue had set aside to be sent to his little brother the next morning. 

The man in the dark smirked. 

Soon, the entire cultivation world would bow to him. 

They would regret ever treating him like nothing more than a servant. 

He laughed quietly to himself as he walked back to his room, staying unnoticed as he stuck closely to the shadows.

Everything was going exactly to plan. 

As he walked down the hall, he whistled a tune that had been stuck in his mind for days. He didn’t know where it had come from, but it refused to leave his mind.

Chapter Text

Chapter 10

Revelations

That night, Lan Zhan stared at the piece of xiao that he’d pulled from the treasury as he sat on top of the Jingshi. 

He flipped it around in his fingers, his eyes narrowed. 

He just needed an opportunity. He needed a chance to get rid of the back-stabbing, brother-betraying, pathetic little man. 

He shoved the shard into his robes and leaped off of the building, landing easily on his feet. 

Only years of practice stopped him from jumping when someone appeared out of the shadows. 

He narrowed his eyes, studying the Nie heir in front of him. 

Nie Huaisang  watched Lan Zhan just as carefully over the edge of his fan. 

“A letter was delivered to my room alongside one from my brother this afternoon.” The Nie heir said. 

Lan Zhan lifted an eyebrow.

Why should he care about a letter? 

“You could understand why I thought it was for me and why I opened it since it was delivered to me rather than its intended recipient.” He continued. 

Lan Zhan hummed. “Mn.”

“So imagine my surprise when the letter contained a very subtle loyalty charm in the very ink adorning its page.” He said, waving the fan lightly in front of his face. 

Lan Zhan’s eyes narrowed. “And to whom was this letter addressed?” He asked. 

Nie Huaisang hummed, walking around slowly. 

Lan Zhan growled in his mind. Nie Huaisang would never change, no matter how many lives he lived.

“To whom was this letter addressed, Nie Huaisang?” He asked again, slightly firmer this time. 

Nie Huaisang looked at him with a knowing gaze. It made the hair on his arms stand up. This was not the same Nie heir that had been in their morning classes. His energy was different. “Your brother.” 

Lan Zhan’s jaw clenched. 

He didn’t need Nie Huaisang to tell him who the letter was from... the same bitch that had engraved an influence inscription into his brother's xiao. 

Nie Huaisang handed him the letter. 

Xichen-ge, 

I hope this letter finds you well as you continue to impart the impeccable and remarkable disciplines of the Lan Sect upon the next generation. 

I had hoped my duties would bring me back to your presence, but I have not been so fortunate to be able to visit the beautiful Cloud Recesses again since the day of the presentation of gifts. 

I hope the xiao I gifted you has aided you well in your cultivation, though I know it is not worthy of such a skilled master as you. 

Perhaps you could play me something the next time I am graced enough to be in your presence.

I do miss the days you would attempt to teach me the beauty of your cultivation, even if I scared away the birds with my inability. 

I hope you are well.

~ Best regards and always loyal, Meng Yao

Lan Zhan growled under his breath. 

The letter itself seemed innocent, but Nie Huaisang was right.

There was subtle magic embedded in the ink.

It wasn’t much, but it was a push towards loyalty toward the sender. 

“Young Master Lan, I heard a name whispered in the wind. I was curious to know if you were familiar with it.” He said out of no where. 

“A name? From where did you hear this name?” Lan Zhan asked, his shoulders tense. 

Nie Huaisang shrugged. “Here. There. Nowhere. Everywhere.” He replied, waving his hand around  nonchalantly. 

Lan Zhan remembered another Nie Huaisang, one that Wei Ying was fond of, one that seemed to know just a little too much about everything. 

 He was always playing some game, pretending to be something he wasn’t.

Lan Zhan’s eyes narrowed. 

What did he mean…?

“What is the name you wish to ask me about?” He asked. “I cannot confirm or deny knowledge of a name you refuse to say aloud.” 

“Jin Guangyao.” Nie Huaisang said. “Such an interesting name, don’t you think?” He asked. “I think it means one who betrays his brothers for the promise of a father… or something like that.” 

Lan Zhan froze, staring at the man in front of him. 

Nie Huaisang's eyes were filled with a deep understanding, a spark of malice as he spoke about the man Meng Yao would become. 

“I’m unsure as to what you mean. I have heard of no one by that name…” Lan Zhan said. “Not yet at least.” 

Nie Huaisang pulled the fan away from his face and smirked. “I knew your new level of shamelessness had to have come from somewhere.” He said with a laugh. 

“Do not presume we are speaking of the same thing. Speak plainly for the first time in your life and tell me what you want, Young Master Nie.” He asked pointedly. 

“I want you to kill him before he betrays my brother.” Nie Huaisang said firmly, his eyes filled with rage. 

“Why should I dirty my hands with his blood?” Lan Zhan asked. 

“Because he’s the one that turned your brother against you. He’s the one that murdered my brother. He’s the one that caused the shitstorm that took Wei Ying from your arms.” Nie Huaisang said, spitting the words out as if they were poisonous. 

“You brought him into your family. I doubt you would have let him near your brother had you any doubts of his loyalties.” Lan Zhan said, keeping his tone even. 

“You know, I thought the same thing… He was just a little, abused, poor miscreant from a bad life. What harm could he possibly bring? But then I kept having these dreams of a different life when a certain little rat bit the hand that fed him. At first I thought they were nothing more than my paranoia in a time of rising tension, but then the things in my dreams started coming true. Evidence of unrest in the Wen Clan and a waterborne abyss in Lan territory… ” Nie Huaisang. 

Lan Zhan let his mask fall and he raised an eyebrow at the other heir. 

“He has yet to act against your brother… would you still see him dead at my hand?” Lan Zhan asked. Not that he cared either way, but he’d like to know if he had an ally or another person to add to his list. 

“Sometimes, it’s kinder to put the rabid dog out of its misery then allow it to destroy the world, no?” Nie Huaisang asked. 

“Indeed.” Lan Zhan replied shortly. 

Nie Huaisang brought the fan back up to cover his face. “The tide is changing, Hanguang-Jun. We will need to rely on each other if we are going to save those that we care about.” He said. 

“Do you think he knows?” Lan Zhan asked. 

“I think if he does, we’d never know about it. He plays his cards far too close to his chest to ever reveal something as big as this without a plan.” The Nie heir replied. 

Lan Zhan hummed. “Try to get him here. I’ll figure something out.” He said. 

Nie Huaisang sent him a surprised look. 

“Really?” He asked. 

Lan Zhan shrugged. “He stands in the way of Wei Ying’s happiness. He will die. Whether it’s now or later does not matter to me.” He said. 

Nie Huaisang snorted softly. “Oh, you Lan men are such simple creatures.” 

Lan Zhan frowned, certain he should be offended by the other heir’s comment. 

“I’ll get him here, you just make sure he dies before he has a chance to fuck us all over.” He said. 

“The xiao is broken. If you mention that, he should come running.” Lan Zhan said, handing the letter back. 

Nie Huaisang frowned, slightly confused. “Okay.” He said, shrugging. 

“Be wary around the lotus dogs, they’ll attack their own pack if need be.” Lan Zhan said as Nie Huaisang stepped away towards the dorms. 

Nie Huaisang laughed. “I can handle a couple of feral mutts. You handle the dragons coming to eat us.” 

Lan Zhan stepped forward, his hand out. 

Nie Huaisang looked at it and then smiled, stepping forward to shake Lan Zhan’s hand, a pact made between them. 

He was startled when Lan Zhan used the hand to yank him toward his chest. 

Lan Zhan leaned down and whispered into Nie Huaisang ear. “Mark my words, Nie Huaisang, should I find out you are manipulating the game away from Wei Ying’s favor, Jin Guangyao’s blood will not be the only red on my ledger. You were kind to Wei Ying in the past and now. If that changes, you will never see me coming. Am I being clear enough in my words?” He asked. 

Nie Huaisang swallowed. 

The power radiating out of Lan Zhan was unlike anything he’d felt before. It was like a tsunami wave, all-encompassing and inescapable. 

He had no doubt that the world would soon understand the power of a man uninhibited by moral restraint. 

He understood now. 

The Lan Zhan that had obeyed and followed the world’s orders was gone. The only thing that this Lan Zhan cared for was Wei Ying, the rest of the world be damned.

He did not want to be on the wrong side of that desperation. 

He nodded. “You have my word.” 

Lan Zhan dropped his hand and disappeared before Nie Huaisang could blink. 

He let out a shaky breath, setting his shoulders. 

The old Lan Zhan was a force to be reckoned with, but this new Lan Zhan was a demon disguised as an angel.

He walked back to his room and quickly grabbed a scroll to write out a letter back to Meng Yao. 

Meng Yao, 

It has been a long time since we’ve spoken, my friend. I do hope you are content in your life these days. 

Please give my regards to Nie Mingjue. I know he stresses far too much. I worry of his heart and his mind. 

I too wish that your duties could bring you back to Cloud Recesses. It has been far too long. 

Unfortunately, I must inform you of a disheartening incident. 

The xiao that gifted me was broken in an accident rendering it unusable.

My brother has been studying the pieces of the xiao in order to try to repair your gift as I find myself feeling empty without its constant presence. 

I hope you are well, Meng Yao. 

~ Xichen

Nie Huaisang hoped that it would be enough to convince the man to come to Cloud Recesses. 

The next day, Nie Huaisang slipped the letter under the one addressed to his brother and smirked. 

The trap was set. 

Now it was time to wait and see if the rat would come for the cheese.

Chapter Text

Chapter 11: 

Retribution 

Meng Yao screamed as he read Xichen’s letter. 

Fuck!

Meng Yao . 

Not A-Yao. 

Did he know? Was he already suspicious? 

Was he distancing himself because the inscription had been damaged? 

Had his brother already informed him of the inscriptions? No, he wouldn't have replied at all if that was the case... which meant he still had a chance. 

Shit. 

Shit. 

Shit. 

He grabbed his bag and made his way to the stables. His cultivation wasn’t strong enough yet to fly by sword all the way to Cloud Recesses and he needed to stop Lan Zhan from discovering the inscription on the inside of Xichen’s xiao. 

And if he’d already found it… he’d need to take care of the threat to his plans. 

That living statue would not be allowed to ruin his plans.

He’d been working far too long to get what he was owed to allow anyone to fuck it up for him. 

Had he taken the time to read the letter more thoroughly, maybe he would have noticed the way the writing didn’t quite match the previous ones he’d received or the way the parchment was of Nie origin, not the crisp, clean white parchment of the Lans. 

In his haste, he didn’t notice the eyes that followed him as he raced beyond the borders of the Impure Realm or the way a bird made of shadows flew behind the clouds, a letter in its talons. 

Unfortunately for him, his panic over his plan going up in flames blinded him to the trap he was walking into. 

Lan Zhan pressed a kiss to Wei Ying’s lips as he said goodbye to the beautiful man. “Are you sure I can’t just stay with you?” He asked. 

“I would love nothing more, Wei Ying, but I fear my uncle’s patience is only so strong.” He replied, with a gentle smile. 

Wei Ying pouted. “I could leave before morning.” 

“I will not have you sneaking from my home as if you’re a dirty secret. Be patient, my love, it will not be long until you are sleeping beside me every night.” 

Wei Ying’s eyes softened. “One day you will have to tell me where you got all your confidence from.” He said. 

Lan Zhan pressed another kiss to Wei Ying’s lips. “My only source of confidence is your love, Wei Ying. I do not wish to question where I’d be without it.” He replied. 

Wei Ying’s ears burned as he buried his face in Lan Zhan’s chest. “That’s not fair.” He groaned. 

“I was unaware that you cared for fairness in your teasing, but I shall try to be more gentle with you.” Lan Zhan teased. 

Wei Ying lightly hit Lan Zhan’s chest. “I’m leaving you shameless man.” He laughed, leaning up to press one more kiss to Lan Zhan’s lips before skipping off toward his room.

Lan Zhan remembered referring to Wei Ying in a similar way in another lifetime.

Who would've thought he'd be the one receiving such a description? 

Lan Zhan watched him with a fond gaze, making sure he got to the room before turning toward his own home. 

When he got the door, he found a note tucked in the board next to the entrance. 

His eyes narrowed. 

A little birdie told me that a certain rat is on his way here in a hurry. 

I told him that you have the pieces of the broken xiao.

Be ready.

~ Your Ally

Lan Zhan smirked. 

Perfect.

It took Meng Yao four days to arrive in Cloud Recesses. 

In the time it took him to show up, Lan Zhan spent every moment forming the perfect scenario to eliminate the rat from the game completely. 

He'd worry about the consequences later. 

Right now, he just needed to protect his brother and Wei Ying. He would not allow the manipulative little man to take his family from him a second time. 

Meng Yao arrived under the cover of night, slipping through the wards with with concerning ease. 

His eyes were  frantic as he made his way to Lan Zhan’s home.

He raced forward, desperation flowing from him. 

He didn’t see the eyes tracking him in the moonlight. 

Lan Zhan waited in the shadows as Meng Yao carefully stepped into his home. 

Meng Yao looked around, making sure Lan Zhan was not there before he turned his attention to the reason for his desperate departure from the Impure Realm. 

He started rifling through Lan Zhan's belongings, his eyes furious as he carefully searched the room. 

Well done, Nie Huiasang . Lan Zhan thought to himself.

Nie Huiasang had been right. Meng Yao had come for the xiao.

Meng Yao found the one piece with the inscription in the bottom of the drawer just as Lan Zhan stepped behind him. 

“Fuck!” Meng Yao growled, staring at the piece of jade. “Wangji already found it.” 

“You were smart enough to fool my brother, and yet, here you are, falling for such a simple trick.” Lan Zhan sneered. "I'm actually disappointed." 

Meng Yao jumped. 

His glowering eyes quickly softened into innocence. “Lan Wangji!” He exclaimed. 

Lan Zhan’s fist pulled back and then smashed into Meng Yao’s cheek. 

“By a jury of your peer, you have been found guilty of sins too numerous to count. For fucking with my family, you will die by my blade.” Lan Zhan said, kneeling over the trembling Meng Yao, Bichen pressed roughly against his throat. 

“You’ll lose everything! You’ll no longer be the righteous Jade of Lan if you kill me! It is against your rules to kill in Cloud Recesses! Your brother would never forgive you, Lan Wangji! Xichen-ge will never forgive you!” Meng Yao screamed, his eyes panicked and furious. 

“Keep his name out of your traitorous mouth. You are unworthy of it.” Lan Zhan growled, leaning back to punch Meng Yao again. 

Meng Yao's head bounced against the floor with the force of Lan Zhan's fist, dazing the man. 

Blood seeped from his nose.

“Your days as the most righteous man are done. You will be known as the man that attacked the helpless assistant of the Nie’s, the one that harms the innocent and betrays your allies. You will be thrown from that pedestal you’re so fond of.” 

Lan Zhan smirked, raising one eyebrow as he leaned forward over Meng Yao’s prone form. 

He leaned down until he was almost touching Meng Yao’s nose with his own. “Who would believe you?” He whispered with a dark chuckle.  

In an instant, Lan Zhan’s face morphed back into the innocent face that everyone always saw from the righteous man. Tears gathered in his eyes. “I am sorry, brother. I don’t know what he was thinking. He just came in here all of a sudden and attacked me. It was late and I didn’t know who it was. I only saw the blade in the shadows. He said something about proving himself to his father. I tried to defend myself, but he just kept coming. I had no choice. Do you think Uncle will be disappointed in me? I thought I was about to die. I didn’t have a choice, Ge-ge. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” Lan Zhan asked, adding a tremble to his words. 

Meng Yao’s eyes widened. “You-” 

Lan Zhan’s expression shifted. “It’s amazing what the tears of a righteous man will do… don’t you think?” He asked. 

Meng Yao’s expression shifted into one of fury, his eyes blazing. 

He started whistling. 

Lan Zhan growled. 

Bichen slid effortlessly across Meng Yao’s throat, silencing him permanently. 

Lan Zhan scoffed and stood up, rolling his eyes, walking away without looking back at the body he left behind.

“You can’t fucking whistle if you’re dead, motherfucker.” He said, rolling his eyes. 

He took a steadying breath, tearing  off his outer layer to reveal his sleeping attire. He tore the shoulder of his sleeping robes and ruffled his hair so that it looked as though he’d been startled out of his sleep. 

He grabbed a small blade from his drawer, one that he’d prepared for this exact moment and lightly cut across his collar bone, a nice little addition to sell the story. 

He let the blood soak into his robes as he placed the bloody knife in Meng Yao’s hand. He made sure that the man’s hand wasn’t covering the detailed Jin crest at the bottom of the pommel.

He looked in the mirror and smirked. 

Meng Yao.

Jin Guangyao. 

Whatever he wanted to call himself. It didn’t matter.

The bastard would never get the chance to hurt his lover again… and if that meant Lan Zhan’s brother never fell into the rat’s trap, it was all the more reason to make sure he remained where he belonged, buried with the memories of a past life. 

He took a deep breath and let out a loud scream. 

Lights immediately began lighting outside and voices could be heard rushing towards him. 

He settled himself on the floor against his bed, clutching his blade and staring at the body in front of him. He forced a tremble into his hands and blinked until a couple of tears trailed down his cheeks. 

His expression morphed from satisfaction into terror as the door opened. 

He made eye contact with his brother. “Ge-ge, please… I’m so sorry. I didn’t know it was him. You have to help him.” He cried, pointing a shaking hand toward the body on the floor, a pool of blood slowly growing underneath it.

Chapter Text

Chapter 12 

Innocent? Not Really

 “Ge-ge, please… I’m so sorry. I didn’t know it was him. You have to help him.” He cried, pointing a shaking hand toward the body on the floor, a pool of blood slowly growing underneath it. 

Lan Xichen fell to his knees as stared in horror at the body of the man he considered a close friend. 

“A-Yao…” He whispered to the air. 

He turned to his brother and let out a choked gasp. 

Lan Zhan was a mess. His eyes were still wild in his panic, tear marks on his cheeks. 

His hair was tangled from where he’d been awoken suddenly.

Xichen spotted his brother’s forehead ribbon on the floor beside the bed where it had fallen in the apparent tussle.

His brother was only in his night clothes his day robes hanging neatly against the wardrobe. 

The material on his shoulder was ripped on one side as if it had been pulled from his body harshly. 

Xichen’s eyes narrowed in on the blood seeping down the light blue cloth.

There was a cut along his brother’s collarbone, deep enough to not have healed immediately. 

Xichen turned his gaze to the knife in Meng Yao’s hand for a moment and took note of the blood on the blade. 

His jaw set. 

It was clear that Lan Zhan had been attacked. 

“What happened, Didi?” He asked softly, the term slipping from his lips unintentionally. He left behind the body of his fri- no, that man was not his friend, not after this - and pulled his brother into his arms. 

He held his brother tightly against his chest, trying to steady himself as he comforted his brother. 

“I am sorry, brother. I don’t know what he was thinking. He just came in here all of a sudden and attacked me. It was late and I didn’t know who it was. I only saw the glint of his blade from the moonlight in the window. He said something about proving himself to his father, that he'd finally be recognized. I hit him. I tried to get him to see reason, but he just kept coming. I didn’t have a choice. Are you mad at me? Will Uncle be mad at me? I thought I was about to die. I didn’t have a choice, Ge -ge. I know he was your friend. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” He sobbed into Xichen’s chest. 

Xichen held his brother, carefully pulling Bichen out of his brother’s hand and setting it aside on the ground.  

He closed his eyes and swallowed, unable to look at the bloody sword. “No, Didi, no one will be upset with you. You were only defending yourself.” He said softly, petting Lan Zhan’s hair. 

He felt his brother trembling and swallowed down his fury. 

How dare Meng Yao attack his brother? 

How dare he betray them - him - like this. 

His eyes caught the Jin emblem on the bottom of the blade in Meng Yao’s hand and he growled to himself. Was everything a lie? What it all just a ruse to get recognition from his father? 

Xichen's jaw clenched.

He was not going to let this slide. 

Whoever was behind, whatever players were messing with his family were going to pay for their deeds.

He would not allow this to betrayal to go unanswered, not when they went after his brother. 

Xichen looked up as his uncle entered the room. 

“Meng Yao attacked Lan Wangji. Wangji didn’t even know who it was until it was over." Xichen said, his eyes full of a protective rage.

"Is he injured?" Lan Qiren asked, not even looking at the body on the floor, the entirety of his attention on his nephews.

"There's a cut on his collarbone. Any further towards his neck and Wangji may not be here.” He said firmly. 

“What happened? Slowly and don’t leave anything out.” Lan Qiren asked. "I will need to report this to the elders and the leaders of the other clans, so I need to know all of the details." 

“I - I killed him. He attacked me and I killed him. I’m going to be exiled. It is against our laws to kill in Cloud Recesses.” Lan Zhan said, his breaths coming out in short, panicked bursts. “I didn’t mean to do it. I thought- I was just - Ge-ge, I was scared.” 

“Lan Wangji, you will not be exiled. You were defending yourself in your own home. I dare the elders to stand against me in this matter.” Lan Qiren said firmly. 

He kneeled in front of his nephew, setting a hand on Lan Zhan’s shoulder. “You are safe now. I will not let anyone attack your character for something that was not your fault.” He said. "The only one to blame is Meng Yao." 

Lan Zhan nodded, pushing himself to hug his uncle. 

He smirked behind Lan Qiren’s back as he felt the furious energy slipping off of the older man.

His uncle and brother were furious for him and that’s exactly what he needed. 

He made eye contact with Nie Huaisang as the slippery young master walked by unnoticed past the open door. 

Lan Zhan winked, turning his expression back to one of distress as his uncle pulled away. 

He saw Nie Huaisang’s shoulders shaking as he walked away, unseen, laughing silently to himself. 

"I -" Lan Zhan let his words trail off. 

“What do you need, Lan Wangji?” Xichen asked. 

“Wei Ying. Please. I need Wei Ying.” He whispered. “I just- I need to see him.” 

Xichen looked at his uncle with a pointed look. 

“Alright, I’ll go get him.” Lan Qiren said. “Xichen, help your brother get cleaned up. I’ll have someone get this... thing... out of here.” He said firmly. 

Xichen nodded, helping his brother stand. 

His heart ached at the vulnerable look on Lan Zhan’s face. “I’m sorry, Didi. I never should have trusted him.” He said softly. “You are the person that matters most to me and I never should’ve let him in here to hurt you.” 

Lan Zhan waited for Xichen to turn to grab a towel to wipe away the blood to smirk.

Good. 

Acknowledge it.

Feel the pain his betrayal caused so that you never allow someone to fool you so completely again. 

Remember this moment so that you learn to stand for your people instead of leaving them to fix your mistakes.

He dropped his expression as soon as Xichen turned back around. 

“I was looking at a piece of your xiao earlier and I noticed something. I wasn’t sure what it was, but after tonight, I think I might know what it means.” Lan Zhan said softly. 

Xichen shook his head. “We can worry about that later. Right now, just try to steady yourself. If you don’t relax I’m worried that you’ll qi deviate.” 

Lan Zhan nodded, making a show of taking a deep breath. 

He was perfectly calm. 

His meridians were singing, but not out of fear or distress.

Lan Qiren found Wei Ying with his sword in his hand, already making his way toward the common grounds of Cloud Recesses from the student dorms with Jiang Cheng. 

“Wei Wuxian, I need you to come with me.” He said. “It’s Lan Wangji.” 

Jiang Cheng frowned, grabbing Wei Ying’s arm. “What does he want with you this late?” He asked. 

Wei Ying turned an annoyed look at the younger man. “I don’t know, but if you let me go, I can go find out.” He said, pushing at Jiang Cheng’s hand. 

Jiang Cheng studied Wei Wuxian with narrowed eyes. “I’ll go with you.” He said. “Someone needs to make sure you don’t get in trouble... again.” 

Lan Qiren shook his head. “That will be unnecessary. Return to your dorm, Young Master Jiang.” He said firmly. 

Jiang Cheng turned a glare to Wei Ying. “Wei Wuxian, what did you do now?” He growled. "Why is the Grandmaster demanding you come with him this late at night if you didn't do something?" 

Wei Ying straightened his shoulders and looked down at the Jiang heir. “Jiang Cheng, you are in the presence of the Grandmaster. Bite your tongue and do as directed. I do not have the time or the patience to deal with this right now. I am going to see what happened to Lan Zhan. I will speak with you in the morning. Until then, go to bed.” Wei Ying said. 

“Now, Jiang Cheng.” He added when Jiang Cheng hesitated. 

Jiang Cheng jumped slightly at the biting tone and released his grip on Wei Ying’s arm.

As much as he protested and argued against Wei Ying, there were times when Wei Ying's tone left little room for discussion.

Usually it was during a night-hunt gone wrong or some other dangerous situation, but the effect was always the same. No matter who it was that was standing in front of him, when Wei Ying straightened his back and lowered his tone, people listened. 

Jiang Cheng's shoulders straightened when he heard the unmistakable command in Wei Ying's words. His brother was not playing around. He was not interested in arguing or trying to make light of the situation. He was commanding obedience as the head disciple of their clan.

Jiang Cheng immediately bowed to the Grandmaster and turned back toward the dorms. His brow was furrowed and there were questions racing through his mind, but he knew that now was not the time to test Wei Ying's resolve. 

Lan Qiren watched as Wei Ying took a deep breath and then turned back to him, his expression now completely neutral. 

“I apologize. He worries far too much and knows of my ability to find trouble where there is none. He did not mean to offend. Please, take me to see Lan Zhan.” He said.  His words were painted in worry. 

For the first time since Wei Wuxian had arrived in Cloud Recesses, Lan Qiren could see the shadow of the man that had worked his way up through the ranks until he was commanding the disciples of the Jiang Clan. 

The person in front of him was steady and confident. Gone was the restless energy and casual dismissal of propriety. This was the head disciple of a one of the great clans, a leader in his own right.

Lan Qiren could see a hint of what made Lan Zhan so enamored with the young man. 

Lan Qiren nodded, motioning toward the Jingshi. "Do not think too heavily about his words. I am not concerned with the concerns of a young disciple. Right now, I am only concerned about my nephew." 

He could tell that Wei Ying was barely holding back the desire to take off running as his stride lengthened and he covered ground far faster than he did in his normal, strolling gait. His stride was purposeful, his arms steady by his side. 

It was the movement of someone that understood when to conserve their strength. 

Lan Qiren observed him for a moment and wondered how many other things he'd discover about the Wei child. 

“What happened?” Wei Ying asked as they stepped into the home, his eyes on the body on the floor. 

There was a sheet over Meng Yao’s corpse. The body was hidden, but the blood leaking out from under the sheet was not. 

“Someone attacked Wangji tonight.” Lan Qiren explained. 

“Who?” Wei Ying asked, his tone dark.

“Meng Yao. Wangji killed him. He found out who it was only after it was over. He has not taken the life of another man before and it has called into question everything that he believes, especially our sacred laws." Lan Qiren explained. 

Wei Ying looked Lan Qiren in the eyes and nodded. “I would question the morality of a law that prevents a man from protecting himself." He said, raising an eyebrow at the man. It was a challenge. 

"As would I. He will face no reprimand from me. However, that does not change the fact that Wangji is shaken. He asked for you and so you are here, but he is vulnerable right now, Wei Wuxian, so please be gentle with him. I know you care for each other, otherwise I would not be bringing you to him, but he is still my nephew.” Lan Qiren said. 

He is safe with me.” He promised. 

Lan Qiren settled a hand on Wei Wuxian’s shoulder. “I know.” 

As soon as Lan Zhan walked out from behind the partition, dressed a new set of robes, and saw Wei Ying, he rushed forward, pulling the other man into his arms.

He buried his face in Wei Ying’s neck. “You came.” 

Wei Ying met Lan Qiren’s gaze. “Nothing would keep me from coming to you, Lan Zhan. Nothing.” He said. 

Lan Qiren looked at him and nodded.

It was an acknowledgment.  

Wei Ying sat down with Lan Zhan, gently petting the man's head as he whispered soft reassurances. 

Lan Xichen and Lan Qiren left Lan Zhan in Wei Ying’s arms as they left to handle the backlash of the incident.  

“Don’t worry, my love. I’ve got you. You’re safe now. Nothing will touch you while I’m here.” Wei Ying whispered. 

Lan Zhan smirked, hugging Wei Ying to his chest tightly, keeping his head tucked to hide his expression. “I know.” 

From his position, he was unable to see the red light flash across Wei Ying’s eyes as he looked at Meng Yao's corpse or the way Wei Ying’s lips twitched into a smirk. 

Chapter Text

Chapter 13 

Purple Shadows 

Lan Qiren stood at the front of the room, everyone gathered for breakfast. “I apologize for the delay in your breakfast, but I must make an announcement. Last night, as some of you know, we had someone that we considered an ally of our clan break in with the intention of harming one of our own. Based on his statements and the weapon used, the person believed that he’d gain favor from his father by harming Lan Wangji.” He announced. 

“Who was it?” Someone asked from the back of the room. 

“Meng Yao.” He replied. 

“Is he alive?” Someone else asked. 

“No. He met the end of Lan Wangji’s blade and did not survive. I expect that there will be a lot of opinions on the matter, but the Lan Clan stands with Lan Wangji’s actions. He was defending himself against a threat to his life. As such, it is our position that his actions were righteous and founded in the Lan principles. Should anyone feel otherwise, you are more than welcome to leave.” Lan Qiren said firmly. 

Hushed murmurs echoed through the room. 

Nie Huiasang stepped forward, bowing low. “The Nie clan stands with the Lans and apologizes for the grievous oversight of one of its own. Grandmaster, my brother will be in touch with you for the reparations of Meng Yao’s actions. Even if his actions were not for us, we are the ones that introduced him to your home.” He said. 

Lan Zhan wanted to smirk as he watched Nie Huisang plant the seeds of doubt. “Not for us” - beautifully done. 

Whispers broke out as everyone questioned what the Nie heir meant. 

If not for the Nie… then perhaps for the Jins? He was Jin Guangshan’s bastard child after all… 

Lan Zhan glanced at Jin Zixuan, letting the others in the room draw their own conclusions of the meaning behind the look. 

The whispers got louder. 

Nie Huisang hid his smirk behind a fan. 

Immediately, Jin Zixuan stepped forward, hearing the doubts of his clan whispered through the air. “The Jin Clan stands behind Lan Wangji’s actions. Meng Yao’s actions do not reflect the opinions of my clan and it is with great shame that there was any motivation for his actions relating to my father.” He said, bowing to Lan Qiren and then again to Lan Wangji. 

“I heard that the blade he used had the Jin family emblem on it. It is odd that he had such an item when your father said he had no contact with him, is it not?” Nie Huiasang asked. He waited for everyone to turn toward him before he ducked his head and waved his hand. “Oh, ignore me! I’m sure it was just a coincidence!” 

Jin Zixuan’s jaw clenched as the whispers returned and people began shifting away from the Jin disciples. “I vow on my honor as the Lanling Jin Clan heir to find out the connection between him and my father. I will also vow to pay all reparations owed to the Lan Clan.” He said, bowing to Lan Zhan deeply. 

Lan Zhan bowed his head softly in acceptance. “No reparations are needed as long as the actions were not prompted to fruition based on false promises by those that Meng Yao was trying to curry favor from.” He said. 

Wei Ying snorted slightly beside him, hiding his face. 

Now Jin Guangshan was on notice to not try anything stupid. 

If they decided to use Meng Yao’s death to move against the Lan Clan, they’d be admitting to the necessity of reparations to be paid to Lan Zhan and the rest of the Lan Clan. 

With a singular sentence, Lan Zhan had taken any potential benefit of Meng Yao’s death away from the Jins and shifted everything toward the Lans. 

Everyone set sympathizing looks at the Second Jade of Lan.  

Lan Qiren dismissed the disciples after breakfast, citing that no one would be focused on the material anyway so it would be better for them to use the day to catch up on whatever foolish hobbies they partook in.

Wei Ying wondered if he wasn’t just as eager for a break from them as they were from him. 

As they exited the room after finishing breakfast, Lan Zhan was greeted with sympathy and soft reassurances of support by almost every guest disciple that “ that coward deserved it” and that “ everyone knew he’d bite the hands that fed him eventually . ”

People that had never spoken to him before came up to him to declare their support of his actions. 

Honestly, he was fairly amused by the sudden declarations of loyalty from the people that considered him made of stone, but he’d take all the support he could get as he prepared for the war no one else knew was coming.

Wei Ying stayed at his side the entire time, his actions much more calm as he glanced around at the people surrounding them. 

Where Lan Zhan went, Wei Ying was no more than a step away. 

Lan Qiren did not protest when Wei Ying chose to sit with Lan Zhan at each of the meals the next day rather than his sect. 

Lan Zhan noticed the tension between Wei Ying and Jiang Cheng when the Jiang heir walked away without even bothering to look at Wei Ying. 

He frowned. What was his problem? 

He prepared himself for Wei Ying to run after the Jiang heir to soothe whatever annoyance had the other man up in arms. 

The surprise came when Wei Ying let out a frustrated sigh and rolled his eyes, pulling Lan Zhan in the opposite direction. 

Wei Ying led him to the back hills, gently pushing him to a sitting position on the ground 

“Is everything okay between you and Jiang Cheng?” Lan Zhan asked when Wei Ying flopped down and rested his head in Lan Zhan’s lap. 

Lan Zhan’s fingers ran through Wei Ying’s hair, gently scraping along his scalp. 

“It’s nothing. He’s just pouting.” He said, sighing and leaning into the contact. 

“Normally I see you give in to him and soothe his anger, yet you are here with me.” Lan Zhan said softly. 

“I’m tired of being the one to soothe his anger when I have done nothing wrong.” Wei Ying admitted. 

“Then don’t.” Lan Zhan replied, leaning down to press a gentle kiss against Wei Ying’s lips. 

Wei Ying scoffed. “Lotus Pier would dry up before Jiang Cheng apologized to me. I have found it easier to just give in. It’s not worth the fight and it’s not worth the consequences of his anger. Plus, he doesn’t mean it. Not really, he’s just not sure how to show his concern.” 

Lan Zhan sighed. “Whether intentional or not, his actions are his own. When he is the leader of the sect, will you be there to relay his actual intentions to every person he speaks to? When he is in a meeting, will you act as a translator for him to keep the sect relationships from dissolving due to his temper? When he marries, will you soothe his partner’s worries and ease their hurt from his harsh words? You do him no favors by protecting him from himself. He is an adult. He is a sect heir. It is his duty to know how to handle his own emotions.” Lan Zhan said. 

Wei Ying sighed and sat up, tucking Lan Zhan’s hair behind his ear from where it had fallen forward as he leaned over to look at Wei Ying. “It is my role in life to shield him.” He said. “I can’t escape that.”

Lan Zhan caressed Wei Ying’s face. “Your role in life is whatever you wish it to be, Wei Ying. You do not owe your life to anyone - not to the Jiangs, not to me, not to anyone . You are so much more than a shield.” 

“I would not be here without them. The Jiangs pulled me off of the street. They allowed me to take the food from their table and the resources from their children. They taught me to cultivate and gave me a future. I cannot walk away from that debt.” He said. 

“There is no debt there. You were a child.” Lan Zhan said. “Tell me, do you intend to demand Wen Ning’s life in return for teaching him how to shoot his arrows more accurately? Do you intend to demand that the younger disciples you teach sacrifice themselves in your stead merely because you provided them aid?”

Wei Ying’s eyes filled with tears. “It’s not the same.” He replied softly. 

“Why? Why is it not the same? What makes you so different that you do not deserve the same kindness that you give to everyone else?” Lan Zhan asked. 

“I - I…” Wei Ying didn’t answer. “You’re biased.” 

“Then let us ask my brother or my uncle or any of the other leaders. Let us ask them what they would demand in return for helping a child.” He said firmly. 

Wei Ying let out a choked off sobbing laugh, shaking his head. 

Lan Zhan gently pulled Wei Ying into a kiss, his thumb running along the beautiful man’s cheekbone. “I do not say these things to make you cry, Wei Ying. I say them to make you understand that I love you and that I don’t want you to see yourself as anything less than what you are.” He said softly, wiping away a tear that fell down Wei Ying’s cheek. 

“Why do you love me? Why would you sacrifice your standing to marry the son of a servant? A miscreant? A lazy bastard?” Wei Ying asked. 

Lan Zhan shook his head. “Because there is nothing in my life worth more than my love for you. My birthrights and standing in this world were happenstance. My love for you was destiny. I love you because you are a skilled cultivator, a prodigy of talismans, and a kind, righteous man. I love you because you will always choose the right path even when it’s not the easy path. I love you because you make life seem like more than a series of moments that I must go through to get to the next day and the one after that.” 

Wei Ying’s lips were pulled into a gentle smile. “Everyone told me that you didn’t talk, that you were silent and harsh. I just don’t think they were listening properly.” He said, wiping away the tears in his eyes. “I love you, Lan Zhan.” He whispered, pulling Lan Zhan into a kiss. 

Lan Zhan’s hands were firm against Wei Ying’s hips. 

Wei Ying wrapped his arms around Lan Zhan’s neck, kissing him deeply. 

They were not rushed or feverish in their movements. 

They were taking their time, expressing their love for another. 

Lan Zhan pulled Wei Ying until he was sitting across his lap, his legs thrown over one side. 

Lan Zhan used one hand to support Wei Ying’s back and the other to guide Wei Ying’s face, gently caressing his cheek. 

They didn’t see the pair of eyes widening from the shadows. 

They didn’t see the flash of purple turning away from them or the man racing away from the back hills toward the guest disciple dorms.

Chapter Text

Chapter 14: 

Purple Lightning 

The day Madam Yu arrived at Cloud Recesses, things were peaceful. 

Morning classes had just finished and the disciples were enjoying the afternoon sun as they prepared for sparring practice.

Wei Ying was gently coaching the others through some of their sword forms, bouncing between them with a light laugh and bright smile. 

Lan Qiren was off to the side, finishing his grading of the morning’s assignments and keeping an eye on the disciples and Lan Xichen was sitting across from him. 

Lan Zhan was absent, busy in the library with a project only he fully understood. He’d promised to return for sparring, but had yet to return. 

Wei Ying seemed to sense the shift in the air before anyone else, his shoulders tense as he looked around for an invisible threat. 

“Sir, the Lady of the Jiang Sect is demanding entrance to the mountain.” A disciple said, softly. 

Lan Qiren nodded. “Escort her here. I’m sure whatever brought her here without proper notice or invitation must be important.” 

He continued watching his disciples. 

Wei Ying spun around, a narrowed gaze locking on Madam Yu's form as she stepped into sight with the escorting Lan disciple. 

The other Jiang disciples noticed her instantly and shifted. 

Lan Qiren narrowed his eyes as he watched them shift away from the Lady of their clan, placing themselves behind Wei Ying. Their movements were instinctual. 

Wei Ying straightened his shoulders, keeping Madam Yu in his gaze the entire time as she was escorted to the small covered table that Lan Qiren and Lan Xichen were at. 

The other clans' disciples watched in interest. 

Madam Yu arrived in a tsunami of rage, her eyes finding Wei Ying immediately. 

Lan Xichen stepped forward. “Madam Yu, we were not anticipating your arrival. I hope all is well in Lotus Pier.” He said in greeting. 

She barely spared him a glance, only pausing long enough to give him the necessary greetings. 

“I must speak to my head disciple immediately.” She said. 

Lan Xichen raised his eyebrow but nodded. “Come this way. I will show you to a more private room so that you may speak.” He said. 

Wei Ying looked over at Jiang Cheng and noticed the slight smirk on his lips. 

What did you do? Wei Ying thought to himself. 

The memory of the night before flashed through his mind. 

“You’re really choosing him over your own family?” Jiang Cheng sneered. 

“What are you talking about?” Wei Ying asked, frowning as he entered their room.

“Whatever. Don’t come crawling to me when mother finds out about your latest tricks.” Jiang replied, turning his back and ignoring Wei Ying’s questions.

Had Jiang Cheng found out about him and Lan Zhan? Had he seen something he shouldn’t have? Is that why he’d said those things? 

Wei Ying felt a sinking feeling in his stomach as Madam Yu turned a steely gaze toward him. 

Madam Yu knew about him and Lan Zhan.

Jiang Cheng had told her about him and Lan Zhan .

He turned to his fellow Jiang disciples. 

“Do not draw her attention.” He said quietly. “Let me handle it.” 

They nodded. 

Wei Ying glanced toward the library where his lover was busy. 

Wei Ying followed without prompting, ignoring the worried looks or the hands hesitating to release their hold on his robes. 

He shook his head, motioning for his juniors to stay where they were. 

Jiang Cheng walked in front of him with his head held high, nearly prancing behind his mother. 

Lan Qiren watched in concern as the young man his nephew loved bowed his head and walked behind the Lady of his sect as if he was walking toward his own execution. 

Wei Ying looked up at him as they passed.

The look in his eyes made Lan Qiren take a step back. 

There was a bone-deep resignation in his eyes, one that spoke of knowing what was to come. 

Wangji’s words started replaying in the grandmaster’s mind. 

“... Need help the most… Are you positive? Are you absolutely sure that things are exactly what they seem?” 

Lan Xichen watched his brother’s lover walk into the room, his shoulders dropping with every step.

“I will leave you to speak. Please join us for tea after you are finished. I am sure that you are tired after your journey.” 

Madam Yu nodded, her gaze never leaving Wei Ying’s form. 

“I knew your mother was a whore, but I never expected you to take after her so completely.” He spat, Zidian unfurling from her wrist. 

Wei Ying’s eyes immediately shifted to the weapon. Memories of that weapon burning its mark into his skin flew through his mind.

“Do not speak of my mother that way.” Wei Ying said, meeting her gaze. 

She sneered. “I’ll speak how I wish.” She growled as she flicked her whip towards him. It sent sparks through the air as it passed beside him, a warning shot to show him what was coming. 

“I’ll give it to you. Going after the Second Jade of Lan was a bold move. To think the righteous sect of Lan was so easily fooled… but I guess a man really is just a man and a hole really just a hole.” She sneered. 

Wei Ying’s eyes narrowed and his jaw clenched. 

He turned to look at Jiang Cheng.

“Do not turn your glare toward my son.” She growled, sending the whip towards Wei Ying. 

Wei Ying stepped aside, turning so that the whip hit his back instead of his chest. 

“Strip and brace yourself.” She growled. 

He looked at her, contemplating his options, but then slowly turned around in front of her, pulling the top of his robes off. He rested his hands against the wall, bracing himself. 

He gritted his teeth. His eyes were furious. 

“I wonder… is this why Fengmian cares for you so much more than his own son? Have you been spreading your legs for him too?” She asked. 

He opened his mouth to respond, only to cry out as Zidian left a deep laceration against his back. 

The smell of burnt flesh filled the air. He growled slightly to himself. 

“You will never be anything more than this.” She said. 

Another strike against his back. 

“You will always be the servant you were born as. You will never be the leader of a sect. You will always be here, kneeling down in front of your betters and there is nothing you can do to change that.” She growled. 

Three consecutive strikes with Zidian forced Wei Ying further against the wall as his strength wavered. 

His hands sparked red for a moment as anger pooled in his stomach, but he took a deep breath and settled himself. 

Not yet.

In the intensity of the moment, they all missed the startled gasp of the maid that had started pulling the door open to deliver a tray of tea. 

The maid quickly made her way to Lan Qiren, bowing her head as she stepped up to speak to him. "Grandmaster, please come quick. Madam Yu is torturing Wei Wuxian." She said, her voice painted in fearful worry.

Lan Qiren stood immediately.

Unfortunately, the maid was not quiet as she reported to him and the rest of the disciples immediately turned their attention to them. 

Lan Qiren looked up to see a panicked Wangji, having just arrived from the library.

"Where is he?" Wangji asked loudly. 

The maid pointed toward the path that led to the small guest pavilions.

Lan Zhan didn't waste any time, taking off a run towards the room.

The disciples stared in shock as Wangji broke one of the rules - no running - without any hesitation. 

Lan Qiren noticed the shifting gazes of the gathered Jiang disciples and felt his stomach sink. 

They weren't surprised. 

Why weren't they surprised? 

Lan Qiren and Lan Xichen immediately started making their way to the room that Wei Ying and the Jiangs were in. 

He'd repent for breaking into a run later. 

“Mother, he’s had enough.” Jiang Cheng said, setting his hand against Madam Yu’s arm. 

Wei Ying wanted to laugh.

Now he wanted to act like a brother?

Now he cared? 

Jiang Cheng knew exactly what would happen to Wei Ying the minute Madam Yu found out about him and Lan Zhan. 

She had never been quiet about her opinion of cut sleeves and she already detested Wei Ying’s existence, so to find out he was even more "filthy" would only increase her anger at him. 

She turned toward her son, furious, ripping her arm out of his hand. 

“This is why you are so much weaker than him!” She screamed. “He is nothing more than a servant and, yet, you insist on treating him as a brother. He is not your brother, Jiang Cheng. It is time that you understand that. People like him belong at your feet, not at your shoulder. A good son would understand that.” 

Jiang Cheng struggled as his mother’s maids stepped forward and held him in place away from her, forcing him to watch as she let loose several more strikes against Wei Ying’s back. 

Blood dripped down his back, disappearing into the robes bunched at his waist, the red a haunting stain in the purity of the white fabric. 

He grunted, but did not scream, his jaw clenched. 

“Do you really think that Lan boy loves you? Oh, my stupid boy, he doesn’t love you. All he cares about is what you can give him. He’s the heir to one of the great clans. He could never love someone as worthless as you. As soon as he’s bored, he’ll find a nice maiden and settle down.” She said in a mocking tone. “Then what will you be? A used up whore with nothing to show for it.” 

Wei Ying shook his head. No. That wasn’t true. “You are wrong.” He growled. 

Fury sparked in his eyes and he felt the electricity in the air. Her hand raised and he prepared himself to feel the pain of another strike of her whip against his back. “You do not speak against your betters, boy!” 

There was a loud bang right before a clash of energy so powerful that it shook the very ground they stood on. 

Wei Ying turned to see what had happened. 

Lan Zhan was standing there, Bichen unsheathed and blocking Zidian’s strike. 

The purple lightning sparked, fighting the energy of Bichen. Energy poured from the two weapons. 

“You will not touch him.” He growled. 

Her jaw clenched. “This is none of your business. It is not your place to interfere in another sect’s politics.” She sneered. 

“It is my business when it comes to Wei Ying. You will not strike him again.” Lan Zhan said firmly. 

Wei Ying collapsed against the wall slightly as he let his body relax.

He let Lan Zhan protect him as he caught his breath.

His back fucking hurt.

His gaze was calculating as he peeked around the room and saw Lan Qiren and Lan Xichen following Nie Huisang into the room. 

He could see the other disciples peering into the room, their curiosity too overwhelming to control. 

“What is the meaning of this?” Lan Qiren asked, taking in the situation as he entered the room. 

His nephew was standing in front of a bloody, half-robed Wei Wuxian with Bichen drawn and Madam Yu standing there with her spiritual weapon wrapped around the blade. 

“I arrived to find her whipping Wei Ying with her first class spiritual weapon. Per the agreement of the five Great Clans, slavery is reserved for the greatest offenses no less dire than treason. Wei Ying has not been found guilty of treason and his title is that of head disciple meaning he is not a servant or a slave under the law. I demand to know why Madam Yu found it necessary and acceptable to harm her own disciple in such a grievous manner, especially on the lands of another clan.” He growled, his eyes burning. 

Bichen reacted to the energy flowing through its master and pulsed, sending the sparking whip back at the Lady of the Jiang Sect. 

She growled at the disrespect, setting her shoulders back and sneering at Lan Zhan. 

“Lan Qiren, control your nephew. He should take care of how he speaks. People will assume he actually cares about this miscreant. They will think that he’s actually a cutsleeve.” Madam Yu said. “Do not allow some juvenile experimentation ruin your nephew’s future.”

Her tone was calm, as if being caught torturing her own disciple was nothing to be concerned about. 

“This is no juvenile experimentation. I intend to marry him. He is a head disciple of a Great Clan which means he meets the requirements of marriage to an heir in our sect and in yours.” Lan Zhan asked. 

“I’d rather see him dead than sullying the name of our sect.” Madam Yu replied.

The words she really meant were not lost on the others in the room. I would rather see him dead than happy . 

Lan Zhan’s jaw clenched. 

Wei Ying stood with Nie Huiasang’s assistance and moved over to his partner, grabbing onto Lan Zhan’s bicep. “Calm yourself.” He said softly. "We need her to agree."

Lan Zhan took a deep breath, but his gaze remained fierce as he stared at Madam Yu.

Her eyes lit up suddenly, a smirk on her face. “Why should I let him marry you? He belongs to the Jiang Clan. We’ve put a lot of time and energy into training him.” She replied. “We’d be losing our head disciple if I allowed this betrothal."

“If you do not see the benefits that will come to your clan from the marriage between your head disciple and the Second Jade of Lan, then perhaps it is best that we negotiate with your husband instead.” Lan Xichen said challengingly. 

Madam Yu whirled around. “I am the Lady of my sect. My word is just as good as his and you will speak to me as you would speak to him.” 

Lan Qiren stepped up, setting a hand on his nephew’s shoulder. “Be that as it may, it seems you do not wish to negotiate and the final decision lies with the Sect Leaders. I hope he is not as blind to the benefits of intersect relationships and alliances as you.” 

People vied with each other to get closer to hear the drama, completely ignoring the Lan disciples trying to shoo them away. 

As the whispers grew in volume at Lan Qiren’s words, Madam Yu’s jaw clenched. 

“And if I refuse?” She asked. 

“Then you will answer for your cruelty in front of all of the clans.” Lan Qiren replied, stepping up beside his nephew. He may not fully like Wei Wuxian yet, but he would not stand by the cruelty being shown to the one person that brought a smile back to his nephew’s face. “Either you negotiate a betrothal or I will have you tried for the torture of your disciple in front of a jury of the Great Clans.”  

“He’s nothing but a servant, no one will care.” She scoffed, letting Zidian return to her wrist as she crossed her arms. “You place far too much worth on those that do not deserve it. Do not pretend as though they care about the likes of him. I could kill him now and no one would do anything to stop me.” 

“He is not a servant. His father died a free man. Regardless of your feelings on the matter, you would be killing the son of an immortal's disciple… that , I can assure you, they will care about. And even if he was a servant, your sect made him the head disciple which automatically means he is no longer a servant in the eyes of the cultivation world.” Lan Zhan replied. “You can’t have it both ways. Either you've lied to everyone to get ahead and give a servant advantages not permitted to someone of his station or you're lying now and he is not a servant." 

“Wangji.” Lan Qiren said. 

Lan Zhan shook his head. No. He would not allow Wei Ying to be taken from him. Not again. He couldn’t go through that again. “If he leaves with her, she will kill him.” 

Wei Ying squeezed Lan Zhan’s arms. 

Madam Yu stared at Wei Ying, her eyes narrowed.

At her silence, Jiang Cheng panicked. 

“Mother, please do not do this. I don’t know what trick they are playing, but Wei Ying will be miserable here. You know that he will never be able to abide by 3,000 rules. You have to stop this.” Jiang Cheng said. “We can take him home and he’ll never do this again. Right, Wei Ying? Tell her! Tell her you’ll behave so that you can come home.” 

The consequences of his actions had finally hit him and he regretted everything. 

He hadn't thought that things would go this way. He didn't think that Wei Ying would actually leave him. 

Madam Yu’s expression changed and she smirked at Wei Ying. 

“Oh?” She asked. 

Wei Ying dropped his gaze. 

“Tell me, will he be subject to the rules of the clan and be punished just as one of your disciples if he marries into your clan?” She asked. 

Wei Ying squeezed Lan Zhan’s arm subtly. Yes. 

Lan Zhan immediately nodded. “He will. Those that marry into the Lan Clan are required to follow the same rules that the Lan Family have to.” 

Madam Yu smiled. “If you want him so badly, you can have him. Maybe you'll be able to break him of his destructive habits.” She said. “But we will negotiate a fair price.” 

Lan Xichen looked like he was about to protest, but Wei Ying caught his eye and subtly shook his head.

He quieted with a frown. They weren’t taking Wei Wuxian’s freedom . 

Still, something told him not to make that known until after Wei Wuxian's future was safe with the Lan Clan. 

Lan Zhan growled at the implication that Wei Ying was something to be bought, but Wei Ying’s gentle hand against his arm kept him from moving. “Not yet.” Wei Ying whispered. 

“Mother!” Jiang Cheng yelled. "Stop this, please!" 

Madam Yu glared at him. “Silence, Jiang Cheng.” She said. 

His mouth clamped shut, unable to stand against her anger. 

"Brother, I will take Wei Ying to the medical pavilion and then meet you in uncle's office." Lan Zhan said. 

Lan Xichen nodded, sending Wei Wuxian a worried look as the young man winced and leaned on Lan Zhan.

Lan Qiren and Lan Xichen led Madam Yu to Lan Qiren’s office. 

She didn’t even bother to look at the young man she’d just abandoned.

Her maids released Jiang Cheng and followed her. 

He raced toward Wei Ying, only to be met by Lan Zhan’s blade at his chest. “You’ve done enough.” He said. 

“That is my brother.” Jiang Cheng growled. "Back off, Lan Wangji." 

“No, this is my fiancé. You directly harmed him through your actions. You brought her here hoping that she’d punish him for falling in love. Every mark on his body is your fault. Every drop of blood spilled is on your hands. Live with that and hope that the gods do not find you as disgustingly deplorable as I do.” He growled, lowering his blade and pushing Jiang Cheng away. 

“She wouldn’t stop! I - I thought she’d whip him once or twice like always, not try to kill him! I just wanted to make him normal again! Wei Wuxian!” Jiang Cheng cried, watching as Lan Zhan gently supported Wei Ying. 

Lan Zhan glared at Jiang Cheng. “You knew that she’d do this and you called her here anyway. You may claim to be his brother, but a real brother would not have done something so despicable as to hope that the person he claimed to care for be whipped.”

“This is your fault! He was becoming so different! He belongs to us! He belongs to the Jiangs. And then he started talking about a future with you!” Jiang Cheng screamed, tears rushing down his cheeks. 

I never told him -  “You were spying on us?” Wei Ying asked, glaring at his brother. “That’s why you said those things - why you told me that I was choosing him over our your family.” 

“You were the one acting weird! You were always with him! We are the Twin Prides of Jiang. You were supposed to always be by my side. Me, the leader of my sect, and you, my subordinate.” Jiang Cheng argued. “That’s how things were supposed to be! Not you running off with Lan Wangji in some sort of disgusting cutsleeve relationship! You were planning to leave me!” 

The disgust was evident in his tone as he spoke.

“You do not own him. Wei Ying is a person, not an object. If you actually cared for him, you’d understand that.” Lan Zhan growled.

Jiang Cheng tried to push past Lan Zhan again. “Wei Wuxian!” He called, trying to get the older man’s attention. “Tell them. I’m your brother, Wei Wuxian!” 

Wei Ying felt Nie Huiasang step up beside him, supporting him alongside Lan Zhan.

“A brother would not have betrayed me, hoping to see me whipped by Zidian just for falling in love. I am your brother when it is convenient for you. I am your servant when it is not. I am the scapegoat and the shield, but I am not your brother. Do not call on me to be your protector any more… Sect Heir Jiang.” Wei Ying said, turning away from Jiang Cheng. 

He did not turn back as Jiang Cheng cried out for him, screaming an apology that he didn’t mean as blood dripped down Wei Ying's spine.

He let his gaze sharpen as they walked toward the medical pavilion. 

He was finally free. 

Chapter Text

Chapter 15:

Negotiations and Contracts

Lan Zhan swept Wei Ying off of his feet before anyone could say anything, ignoring their looks as he carried his lover toward the medical pavilion. 

The other disciples milling around stared after them, whispering. 

Lan Zhan made eye contact with Nie Huiasang.

The younger man nodded and disappeared into the crowd of people. 

Lan Zhan knew that the Nie heir would make sure the narrative spread was the one that they wanted. 

Lan Zhan set Wei Ying on one of the beds in the medical pavilion with a pointed look. 

Wei Ying smiled softly at him and nodded, holding up his hands. 

“Healer, please, help Wei Ying. He was struck a number of times with a spiritual weapon and his back is in bad shape.” He said. 

Healer Ziyan immediately started looking over Wei Ying, gently prodding his back in place. 

“Wei Wuxian, some of these lashes are nearly to the bone. How are you moving right now?” Healer Ziyan asked in shock. 

Lan Zhan’s hands clenched by his side. 

Wei Ying shook his head. “It’s not that bad, Healer Ziyan. I’ll be fine in a couple of days.” 

“A couple of days? A couple of days? Are you kidding me? Absolutely not. You are going to be on bedrest for at least two weeks, maybe more.” The Healer said. 

Wei Ying’s eyes widened and he looked at Lan Zhan. “I’m not going to sit in bed for two weeks. I’ll go insane. I’ll be fine, Healer Ziyan.” He said with a charming smile. 

Healer Ziyan looked to Lan Zhan for assistance. 

Wei Ying turned his own pout toward Lan Zhan. 

Lan Zhan sighed. “What if I take him to the Cold Pond to heal every day and transfer energy while he meditates and he promises to come see you afterward every day? If he isn’t making substantial progress or if, at any point, his wounds start looking worse, then he will stay in the medical pavilion until you deem fit.” 

Healer Ziyan frowned. “Fine, but I am going to clean your wounds right now and then you are going to let both Lan Zhan and I transfer some energy to you. How you’re still functional is a mystery to me.” 

Wei Ying smiled. “Thank you!” He replied. 

The healer nodded. “Alright, just lay down on your stomach.” 

“Healer Ziyan, please document everything that you find.” Lan Zhan said quietly. 

Wei Ying looked at him in surprise. 

Lan Zhan met his gaze evenly, raising an eyebrow. 

Wei Ying sighed and nodded. “Alright.” 

Healer Ziyan gently talked Wei Ying through everything that she did, taking detailed notes as she examined his injuries. 

Her eyes met Lan Zhan’s with anger. 

He met her gaze and nodded.

There was a promise in that gaze, a promise for retribution. 

Things weren’t over. 

The Jiangs would pay for their egregious actions against Wei Ying. 

An hour later, Lan Zhan was slightly shocked when the young Wen Ning appeared at the medical pavilion. His gaze was lowered and he seemed nervous as he entered the room. 

Lan Zhan studied the young man. 

In the past timeline, this man had stood by Wei Ying through everything. 

With the changing of… well, everything, Lan Zhan wasn’t sure what their relationship would be. 

However, he couldn’t discount the man’s integrity and support of Wei Ying, so he met the man with a kind gaze. 

“I’m so-sorry to interrupt, Lan-gongzi.” He said softly. 

“Hm.” Lan Zhan hummed. 

“H-How is Wei-gongzi?” Wen Ning asked. 

“He will heal with time, but he is badly injured.” Lan Zhan replied, not hiding the truth from the younger man. 

Wen Ning nodded, but it seemed like a gesture meant more for himself. 

“I-I brought this for him. My sister is a healer and she said it would help with the scarring. He was kind to me. We don’t know each other well and I’m not even sure if he remembers who I am, but he was kinder to me than most that I call family.” Wen Ning said, holding out a jar of ointment. 

Lan Zhan took it, nodding. “Thank you for your care of Wei Ying. Please, tell your sister that the Lan Clan owes her its gratitude. I owe her my gratitude.” 

Wen Ning nodded. “Um - okay- but please don’t tell anyone I gave it to you.” He said softly. 

Lan Zhan nodded again. “I will remember this kindness, but I will not speak of it until there is a time that such a conversation will not bring about undue stress to you and yours.” He said. 

Wen Ning smiled softly for the first time. “Thank you, Lan-gongzi.” 

He was gone before Lan Zhan could reply. 

Lan Zhan handed the jar to the healer as he returned to the room. “This is from a very talented healer. Please, look at it and use it as you deem necessary.” He said. 

The healer looked at the ointment and frowned at Lan Zhan. “Do I get to know where you got this mysterious ointment?” He asked. 

Lan Zhan shook his head softly. “Such a conversation would only bring about more questions.” 

The healer studied Lan Zhan for several minutes before sighing. “Fine. If I didn’t know for a fact that you’d never allow harm to come to this young man, I wouldn’t even be contemplating this, but because I know how much you care for him, I’m going to try it.” 

Lan Zhan nodded. “Thank you.” 

Not too long after Wen Ning's surprise visit, Wei Ying was sound asleep on the bed. 

His wounds coated in an herbal salve and bandaged. 

Healer Ziyan rested a hand against Wei Ying’s back, sending energy coursing through the younger man. 

“He is lucky that he hasn’t been permanently crippled. Cultivators of his talent don’t scar like this unless the injuries affect the person’s meridians and are prevented from healing correctly. He’s also thin which wouldn’t have helped the healing. He needs more nutrition. His body burns a lot of calories with his level of cultivation so he needs to replenish them. Inedia is only so useful.” Healer Ziyan said softly. 

Lan Zhan sat down on the edge of the bed, running his fingers through Wei Ying’s hair, uncaring for the presence of someone else. 

“What will help him the most?” Lan Zhan asked. 

“He needs to be still as much as possible and he needs clean energy and healthy foods.” She answered. 

Lan Zhan nodded. “I will provide him with everything he needs.” 

She nodded. “Alright. You will need to apply the salves for him since he won’t be able to reach the center of his back thoroughly enough.” She said. 

He nodded. “Mn.” 

Meanwhile, Lan Xichen was finally understanding why his brother was so protective over Wei Wuxian. 

Madam Yu had no interest in negotiating a better arrangement for Wei Wuxian. 

She argued for the betterment of her clan, but not for the child that had been raised alongside her own children. 

“Anything he has belongs to us. He will take nothing more from my family.” She said, crossing her arms. 

“He will keep his inventions.” Lan Qiren said sternly. 

She scoffed. “Fine. Those wishful, half-baked ideas are worthless anyway.”

Lan Qiren bit his tongue against his protests. He would give her no reason to want to keep Wei Wuxian. 

He had no doubts that the rumor mill had already spread further than Cloud Recesses and his clan would be at the center of them, but after failing his pupil so thoroughly, he would not stand by and watch him be harmed... again. 

He could not turn his back against the young man that brought a peace to his nephew that he’d never seen before. 

The willful, stubborn, and yet, brilliant young disciple deserved more than the hateful vitriol being spewed by the woman in front of him and he would be damned if he let her ruin his potential. 

He had the makings of a brilliant talisman creator, but he needed to be guided, not chastised. 

His clan would not be on the wrong side of history. Of that Lan Qiren was sure. 

“Anything that happens from this day forward will be a reflection of your clan, not mine.” Madam Yu said. 

Lan Qiren raised his eyebrow and hummed. “Agreed.” 

“He will not be welcome in Lotus Pier again.” She said. 

“You want him to remain here throughout the engagement?” Lan Xichen asked. 

She hummed, motioning dismissively. “I don’t care where he goes. He can become a rogue cultivator or live on the streets for all I care. We will not be responsible for feeding and housing him any more.” 

Lan Qiren’s jaw clenched and he hummed. "Fine." 

Negotiations continued in the same manner for over an hour, leaving Lan Qiren the closest he’d ever been to losing his temper. 

With every statement from Madam Yu, Lan Qiren and Lan Xichen gained a bit more insight into Wei Wuxian's life in Lotus Pier. 

Finally, the contract was set, signed, and duplicated. Each clan walked away with a copy. 

Lan Qiren and Lan Xichen quietly made their way to the medical pavilion in silence. 

Neither were sure how they’d come out of the negotiations feeling equally dejected and successful. 

They’d gotten Wei Wuxian out of Zidian’s reach, but he no longer had a home or a clan to call his own.

He no longer had a single thing to his name, his belongings locked away in Lotus Pier. 

Only his thoughts and ideas belonged to him now.

They found Lan Zhan sitting protectively beside Wei Wuxian’s bed.

One hand was intertwined with Wei Wuxian’s while the other rested on his knee.

His eyes were closed in concentration as he meditated and passed power to his lover.

Lan Qiren stared at the bandages covering Wei Wuxian’s back. 

Any doubt or regret at the mess that could arise from the hasty negotiations vanished. Wei Wuxian simply would not spend another day in that vile woman’s care. 

Wangji’s eyes opened and he shifted. 

“Uncle, brother…” He greeted with a polite bow. 

Xichen moved closer to the medical bed. 

“How is he?” Xichen asked. 

Lan Zhan handed him the scroll that the healer had given him after her examination.

He watched as his family read the detailed report of every injury and ailment that the healer had found. 

Xichen’s hand raised to cover his mouth. 

“This was not the first time that he’s been at her mercy.” Xichen said. 

Lan Zhan shook his head. “Not even close. I could not make accusations without proof, but I do hope that you see why he must not be allowed to return to her care. If I am asked to let him go back to Lotus Pier, I will not be responsible for the consequences of whatever actions I take to protect him.” 

Lan Qiren nodded. “He will not return there. This is the betrothal contract. He is to remain here or become a rogue cultivator. He will not be permitted to return to Lotus Pier.” He said softly. 

Lan Zhan’s jaw clenched and he scoffed. “Permitted…” He trailed off angrily - l ike Wei Wuxian had barged into their family without invitation. 

“Wangji, I understand your frustration and I’m starting to appreciate the way that you two care for one another, but we need to be smart about this. While I do not partake in gossip, it is hard to miss the mutterings of the guest disciples. I do not believe our peace will be as long lived as we would like to think.” Lan Qiren said. 

Wangji’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?” 

Lan Qiren looked slightly disgruntled at the suspicion coming from his nephew. “I mean that our society has never gone so long without someone trying to rise to power. It would be remiss to forget our history and believe that someone will not try to take what doesn’t belong to them.” He said. 

Silence settled over the room, the grandmaster’s words hanging in the air. 

Lan Zhan wasn’t sure how to warn his family of the impending war without giving everything away. 

He sighed, looking over at his sleeping lover. 

Perhaps it was time to come clean to the one man he knew would be able to help him prevent a war… or perhaps turn the war to their favor. 

Maybe preventing the war wasn’t the answer. 

Maybe the war just needed to be pushed in a different direction. 

After all, many people died in wars…

People that would be difficult to get rid of otherwise. 

Chapter Text

Chapter 16:

The Cold Pond

Wei Ying understood why the Lans referred to it as the Cold Pond as soon as he dipped his toe in. 

The water was nearly freezing, his skin turning red merely seconds after joining Lan Zhan in the frigid pond. 

The air was crisp, Wei Ying’s breaths coming out in soft puffs of condensation. 

Wei Ying giggled as he wrapped his arms around Lan Zhan’s neck. 

He shivered. “How you Lans enjoy this cold, I will never understand.” He laughed. 

Lan Zhan smiled softly and wrapped his arms around Wei Ying, letting his body heat warm the other man. 

Wei sighed into the warmth, tucking his face in Lan Zhan’s neck. “That’s better.” He said softly. 

Lan Zhan hummed, running his hand up and down Wei Ying’s back. 

He frowned as his hands ran over the raised scars criss crossing Wei Ying’s skin.

The wounds were closed, but the scars were still raised and red and angry.

Wen Qing’s ointment was doing its job, but the damage would take a while to heal. No matter how powerful Wei Ying was, that amount of scarring would never disappear completely. 

The soft purple hue that had surrounded each mark had begun to fade away with every visit to the cold pond.

The water’s healing powers struggled to remove the marks of that vile woman from Wei Ying’s skin, but some progress had been made. 

Lan Zhan enjoyed watching Wei Ying’s body relax as the warmth surrounded him each night, Lan Zhan’s arms wrapped gently around the thinner man as he kneeled behind the tub. 

Wei Ying tensed and pulled away. “I’m sorry. I’ll put a shirt on.” He said, moving back towards the edge of the Cold Pond. 

Lan Zhan shook his head, grabbing Wei Ying back to him. 

Wei Ying looked at him in confusion. 

“You are beautiful, Wei Ying.” Lan Zhan said, softly. 

Wei Ying shook his head. “I am marked - damaged.” He replied. 

“You are strong. Your scars are not a mark of weakness, but of every battle that you have overcome.” He said, turning Wei Ying so that he was facing away from Lan Zhan. 

Wei Ying’s breath hitched as Lan Zhan pressed kisses to each scar along his back, his hands gentle as they gripped his hips. 

“Ah, Lan Zhan!” He let out a soft moan, his head thrown back. 

Lan Zhan smiled against Wei Ying’s skin.

They were fiancés now.

No one could blame him for stealing a moment with his lover. 

Well they could, but Lan Zhan didn’t really give a shit.

It was his ribbon that would be tied around Wei Ying’s wrist and no one else's. 

Suddenly, the water started to move.

Lan Zhan internally smirked, knowing what was about to happen. 

It seemed that whatever had sent him back wanted him to complete this mission again. Perhaps this time he wouldn't attempt to reunite the Yin Iron alone. 

He kept hold of Wei Ying’s hand as they were pulled under the water. 

When they appeared inside the ice cave, Lan Zhan helped Wei Ying to his feet. 

The first strum of the guqin flew towards Wei Ying prompting Lan Zhan to pull his forehead ribbon off. 

“The rabbits are wearing headbands.” Wei Ying murmured as he looked around the cave.

Wei Ying looked down to see Lan Zhan tying his ribbon around his wrist. 

Wei Ying looked up at him. “Lan Zhan…”  

Lan Zhan smiled down at him and pressed a kiss to his lips. 

Wei Ying blushed slightly, but his grip on Lan Zhan’s hand tightened, their fingers intertwined. 

Lan Yi’s spirit appeared as it did in the last timeline, smiling gently at the two men. 

This time, as they bowed in front of her three times, their hands bound by the white ribbon, they both understood the significance of the moment. 

Lan Yi smiled. “You two are well matched.” She said. “Do not allow the world to separate you from each other again. You are strongest when you are together.” 

Lan Zhan and Wei Ying bowed their heads to her again, their hands clasped tightly between one another. 

“Your souls are intertwined so tightly that it is hard to tell where one starts and the other ends.” She said softly. 

Wei Ying tilted his head. “That is a good thing though, right?” He asked. 

She smiled and nodded. 

“It is a beautiful thing, young child.” She replied. 

Lan Zhan looked at Wei Ying softly, pulling the other man’s hand up so that he could kiss the back of it. 

Just as last time, Lan Yi warned them of the power of the Yin Metal and gave them their mission to reunite the pieces in order to destroy it. 

"The pieces of the Iron must be reunited and then destroyed. It is too powerful for someone to control and those that seek to try will only use it for evil. I cannot contain its energy any longer, so I must entrust this mission to you." She said. 

Wei Ying and Lan Zhan accepted the Yin Metal without hesitation, nodding as she gave them their instructions. 

Her spirit disappeared in a wave of smoke, leaving behind only the white rabbits. 

Lan Zhan and Wei Ying looked at each other. “We have the blessing of your ancestors.” Wei Ying said softly, wrapping his arms around Lan Zhan’s neck. 

Lan Zhan nodded. “We do.” 

“This is real, right? I’m not dreaming?” Wei Ying asked. 

Lan Zhan reached down and bit Wei Ying’s neck roughly before soothing away the bite with his tongue. 

He smirked at the wanton moan Wei Ying let out. “Does it feel like a dream?” He asked. 

Wei Ying whined. “If I say yes, will you do that again?” He asked. 

Lan Zhan laughed, leaning down to press their lips together. “I love you, Wei Ying.” 

“I love you too, Lan Zhan.” Wei Ying replied. 

They carefully helped the rabbits out of the cold pond before heading to the healing pavilion for Wei Ying's routine check in. 

That night, they met on the top of the Jingshi.

Lan Zhan pulled Wei Ying into his arms, holding him against his chest. 

Wei Ying bit his lip, smiling as he turned his wrist around to look at the ribbon. 

He leaned up and pulled the red ribbon from his hair, wrapping it gently around Lan Zhan’s wrist. 

Lan Zhan smiled and pressed a kiss to Wei Ying’s temple.

“What are we going to do about the Yin Metal?” Wei Ying asked. 

“What do you want to do with it?” Lan Zhan replied. 

“I think we should collect the pieces and then decide.” Wei Ying said. "I think we both know a couple of people that would be interested in harnessing its power for evil purposes." 

Lan Zhan hummed, studying his partner. “Alright.” 

Wei Ying hummed. “We’ll do it together, right?” 

Lan Zhan hummed. “Together.”

As the night grew colder and nine o’clock approached, Lan Zhan yawned and nuzzled his face into Wei Ying’s neck. 

“You can sleep. I’ll go back to my room.” Wei Ying said softly. 

Lan Zhan shook his head. “Give me a few more minutes.” He said softly, kissing Wei Ying’s neck softly. “I just want to hold you.” 

Wei Ying laughed and tilted his head. “And people call me shameless.” 

Lan Zhan shook his head. “There is no shame in my love for you.” He replied. 

Wei Ying’s cheeks burned. “You’re ridiculous.” 

Lan Zhan shrugged, unapologetic.

He didn't need to mention the way that Wei Ying's hand was gripping his tightly, unwilling to be let go just as much as Lan Zhan was unwilling to let him go. 

Chapter Text

Chapter 17: 

Rumor Mill

Wei Ying was expecting Jiang Cheng to approach him when he was finally permitted to return to lessons, but he was not prepared for the way Jiang Yanli arrived in front of him, demanding an apology. 

“A-Xian, you must put a stop to these rumors. People are saying that you’ve been abused by Mother. They are saying things about our sect - terrible, untrue things.” Jiang Yanli said, grabbing Wei Wuxian’s arm tightly. 

Wei Ying bit his tongue against the words he wanted to say. She always did this. Made him apologize in exchange for some soup. 

Well not anymore. 

He hadn’t done anything wrong. 

He’d been whipped and beaten and degraded for years and he was sick of it. 

“Jiang-guniang, I do not owe you or anyone else an apology. Your mother whipped me with Zidian… again . The only difference is that she decided to do it in front of people this time.” He said, loudly enough to draw the attention of the people around him. 

The whispers started to raise in volume as people stared at the Jiang maiden and Wei Wuxian. 

Nie Huiasang had done what he does best. He spread just enough information to make people curious. The rumor mill had taken it from there. 

Jiang Yanli’s expression shifted. “A-Xian, you know that she has a temper. You always antagonize her. If you would just learn to behave…” 

“Maiden Jiang, this has nothing to do with behaving. Your mother whipped him with Zidian, her first-class spiritual weapon. Even whipping with a regular whip is reserved for grievous offences. To so casually abuse her power is against our laws, not only the Lan laws of which he is subject to while he is on our lands, but of the laws that govern us as a society.” Lan Zhan said, holding Wei Ying to his chest. 

Wei Ying took strength in his presence, leaning into him. 

“Wei Ying often provokes our mother's temper. He knows that she is tough on him because he often seeks out trouble where there is none. He just needs to learn to keep his head down.” She said placatingly. 

Wei Ying wondered briefly if everyone would believe her like they always did, if they would see him as a miscreant and tell him that he deserved it based on the biased words of a cowardly woman. 

“What was his offense to spark her ire this time?” Nie Huiasang asked. “I’m sure we’d all like to know if we are in the midst of a treasonous man after all.” 

Wei Ying smirked slightly as he realized the trap that his friend was setting. 

Jiang Yanli, in her naivety of the world, did not understand the sarcasm in the Nie heirs words or the way she’d walked into his perfectly set ambush. 

“He is bringing shame to our sect! If he would just behave and do as he was told, there would be nothing to worry about.” She said with a soft smile on her lips. “I know my brothers and they are adventurous, but A-Xian does not often see rules as something that must be obeyed.” 

“What was the rule he broke this time?” Nie Huiasang asked. 

Jiang Yanli paused. “Well there is no specific rule. We do not label our rules as the Lan Clan does.” 

“So you can’t even name the rule that was broken that led to your brother being tortured by your mother?” Nie Huiasang asked, emphasizing the word brother spitefully. 

Jiang Yanli’s mouth fell open slightly. “That’s not what I meant!” 

“What about the last time? It’s pretty easy to see that this isn’t the first time that he’s been whipped with Zidian, so what rule did he break last time?” Jin Zixuan asked. 

Wei Ying was surprised to see him speak up in his defense, but the Jin heir seemed just as put off by the Jiang maiden’s words as everyone else. 

“Last time?” Jiang Yanli asked, her voice smaller as she lost her prior confidence. 

“Yes, last time, Maiden Jiang. Wei Wuxian has been whipped several times from what we’ve gathered, so what rule did he break last time?” Jin Zixuan asked again. 

Wei Ying noticed the way the female cultivator - Wei Ying thought her name was like Luo Guang or Luo Qingying or something like that - stepped behind Jin Zixuan. He also noticed the way that Jin Zixuans’s hand twitched outwards as if to protect her. 

Oh . 

So that is why he doesn’t want to marry Jiang Yanli. 

He can’t marry her though, not by Jin law. An heir can’t marry anyone of lesser standing… 

Wei Ying felt for him and, for the first time, he somewhat understood why Jin Zixuan despised Jiang Yanli so much - she was a constant reminder of something he couldn’t have. 

It also explained Jin Zixuan’s unexpected reaction to Wei Ying’s injuries. 

If Jiang Yanli was okay with her mother torturing someone that his wife-to-be considered a brother, then what would happen to the woman that Jin Zixuan actually loved when he married Jiang Yanli and brought her abusive mother into his home? 

It was a selfish reason to care, but Wei Ying would take what he could get.

An ally was an ally after all. 

Jiang Yanli frowned, trying to remember the last time Wei Ying was whipped. 

Wei Ying rolled his eyes. “It was a reminder to behave, remember, Maiden Jiang?” Wei Ying asked. 

Her expression changed as she realized what Wei Ying had said. “A-Xian that’s not -” 

He raised an eyebrow. “What? That’s not what she meant? That’s what she said, wasn’t it? That she knew that I was going to do something while out of her reach, so might as well remind me what was waiting for me when I got back to Lotus Pier.”  

The rest of the disciples stepped away from Jiang Yanli and her maids, unwilling to be associated with her. 

Wei Ying saw his opportunity and he took it. 

“And when I was whipped for Jiang Cheng failing his training? Did I deserve it then? Or the time that I was whipped so badly that I was unconscious for nearly two weeks after doing better than Jiang Cheng in an archery competition? Did I deserve it then too? What about the time she nearly drowned me when we were kids for being the better swimmer? Did I deserve that?” Wei Ying asked. 

Jiang Yanli looked around in horror as the people around them stepped back, staring at her with disgust. 

“A-Xian, that’s enough. Let’s talk privately.” She hissed. 

“No. You all seem just fine airing out my business in front of everyone else when you thought I’d let it go, so let’s chat here. I have nothing else left to hide. You talk about your family as if I’m part of it, but then you allow your mother to beat me and your brother to treat me like a second class citizen. When I was in the medical pavilion for a week after one of your mother’s temper tantrums about a rumor that doesn’t even make sense, all you did was bring me soup and tell me to behave, to be understanding, to do better. What can I do better?” Wei Ying asked loudly, the emotions overflowing as he looked at the young woman he’d considered a sister. 

Tears streamed down Jiang Yanli’s cheeks. 

Jiang Cheng, seeing the way that everyone was turning away from his sister and the tears on her cheeks, stepped up with a furious glare. 

Lan Zhan immediately put himself in front of Wei Ying and grabbed Bichen, his hand resting on the handle of the blade readily. 

His actions added to the circulating rumors as everyone watched the normally stoic man put himself bodily between the Jiang heir and the man he’d once called a brother. 

“Apologize to my sister, Wei Wuxian!” 

“For what? She came up to him. If she didn’t want to have this conversation, she shouldn’t have brought it up in the middle of the courtyard.” Nie Huiasang interrupted. 

“Be quiet, Nie Huisang, this doesn’t involve you!” Jiang Cheng spat. 

“Oh, but it does. Do you forget that you are not the only clan heir in attendance? We will all be tasked with negotiating alliances and trades in the future. Now is the time that those relationships are built. Do not be so naive to believe that your actions now will not have an impact on you and your clan in the future.” Jin Zixuan said, turning his nose up at the younger heir. 

Jiang Cheng’s eyes blazed as he turned to his brother. “You did this. Why the fuck are you always ruining everything! Mother was right! You are nothing but an ungrateful leech!” 

The air stilled as Lan Zhan’s eyes burned. 

Bichen rattled.

The other disciples immediately took a step back. 

They did not want to be in the middle if Lan Zhan lost his temper, as shocking as that thought was that he could lose his temper. 

“Your mother signed away your rights to refer to Wei Ying so casually. He is a member of the Lan Clan now. He is my fiancé and you will respect him as such.” Lan Zhan spat. 

The other disciples looked at one another in shock. 

That piece of information had not been disclosed yet. 

They knew that Madam Yu had left Wei Wuxian in the care of the Lans, but the details had been withheld. 

Jiang Cheng scoffed. “You’re seriously still playing along with that stupid fucking prank?” He asked “What did he do to get you to agree to this?” 

The others did not miss the implication of Jiang Cheng’s words. 

Wei Ying narrowed his eyes. “Do not besmirch Lan Zhan’s reputation. You do not have to respect me, but you will treat him as you would treat another heir, Jiang Cheng. You are the one shaming your clan right now, not me.” 

Jiang Cheng growled and pulled Sandu from its sheath, aiming at his brother. 

Wei Ying’s eyes widened as he realized that Lan Zhan was still in the way. If Jiang Cheng managed to hit him, the blade would strike in the throat. 

For the first time since he’d been taken in, Wei Ying stood against Jiang Cheng without holding back. 

He used Lan Zhan’s steady shoulder to launch himself over Lan Zhan and into Sandu’s path. 

He pushed every bit of energy he could muster into Subian as his blade met Jiang Cheng’s. 

The resounding clang of the blades meeting startled everyone and the force of the blast created by the warring energies pushed them backwards. 

Wei Wuxian growled and stepped forward, swinging his blade in a wide arc to push Sandu out of his way. 

Sandu swung away easily, Jiang Cheng’s eyes widening as he finally realized the danger he was in. 

Wei Ying’s eyes flashed red as he launched himself toward the Jiang heir. 

His movements were too fast for most of the disciples to follow, but the effect was the clear. 

The man was no match for the disciple that had gone head to head with Lan Zhan and tied . 

It was only a few seconds before Wei Ying had Sandu in his hand and Suiban resting against Jiang Cheng’s neck. 

“You pulled your sword against the heir of the clan on whose lands you currently reside. Pull yourself together and act like the fucking heir that you are. I am no longer going to be around to fix your shit, so you better pull your head out of your ass and figure out how to deal with your own problems without always looking to me to take the fall. You wanted me out of the picture, so here’s your chance to prove that I was always the problem. Just don’t come crawling back to me when you realize that your pathetic whining doesn’t actually do what you think it does. Hopefully your mother doesn’t find the same faults in you that she always has because I’m not going to be around for her to take her anger out on anymore.” Wei Ying hissed. 

Jiang Cheng swallowed. 

In all of the time he’d known Wei Wuxian, he’d never once seen him so angry. 

The look in his eyes was different. It was dark, like he’d been possessed and the fury of the demon was seeping into his expression. 

“Wei Wuxian…” He said softly. 

“Listen to me closely, Jiang Cheng. When it comes down to your moment of need, I can only hope for your sake and the sake of all of your juniors, that you haven’t burned every bridge worth running towards. Leave Lan Zhan alone. Do we have an understanding?” Wei Ying whispered, quietly enough that no one else heard his words. 

Jiang Cheng nodded. “Okay. Okay.” He said softly. 

As soon as Wei Ying released him, he took a step back. 

He kept his eyes on Wei Ying as if he’d seen a demon. 

“Ajie, let’s go.” He said quietly. 

“What? Didi-” 

Jiang Cheng shook his head. “Ajie, people are watching. Now is not the time. Let’s go. We can talk about it later.” He said urgently. 

She looked over at Wei Wuxian before nodding to her brother. “Okay.” 

Wei Ying tossed Sandu towards Jiang Cheng. “Don’t forget your sword.” He said. 

Jiang Cheng caught Sandu with a grunt, the sword smacking him in the chest. 

The Jiangs didn’t say anything as their heirs quickly walked away from the courtyards. 

The other disciples watched them go in shock. 

Wei Ying winced as his wounds reminded him that cartwheeling over a person was definitely not in his healer’s plans for him. 

Lan Zhan grabbed Wei Ying, pulling him into his chest as the younger Jiang disciples stepped up to face Wei Ying. 

Everyone was shocked as they watched the disciples bow deeply to Wei Ying and Lan Zhan. 

“Thank you for everything, Da-Shixiong.” They said. 

Wei Ying smiled gently and nodded. “Be careful and don’t upset her unnecessarily. I know you are all good kids, so please behave for me.” He replied. 

They nodded. 

The oldest of the disciples, a young man only about two years younger than Wei Ying, turned to Lan Zhan. He bowed again, deeply. 

Lan Zhan’s brow twitched in confusion. 

“Thank you for getting him away from her.” The disciple said. “I’ve been trying to find a way to protect him for years, but I’ve never been able to.” 

The rest of the disciples noticed what he was doing and bowed again, this time to Lan Zhan. 

Lan Zhan’s shoulders softened and he bowed back to the disciples with a steady nod. 

The Jiang disciples disappeared quickly after rising from their bows, following the Jiang heirs. 

As the tension in the air eased, Nie Huiasang stepped up and smiled. 

“Fiancé?” He asked with a slight giggle. 

Wei Ying’s expression lightened instantly and he smiled, nodding.

Chapter Text

Chapter 18: 

The Yin Iron

Wei Ying and Lan Zhan sat in front of Lan Qiren and Lan Xichen, the piece of Yin Iron on the table in between them. 

Lan Qiren sighed as he listened to the story of how they’d been pulled into the Cold Cave and the instructions bestowed upon them by Lan Yi. 

“And you two wish to do this yourselves?” He asked. 

Wei Ying and Lan Zhan nodded. “We were given the task by an ancestor. We feel that we must complete it ourselves.” Lan Zhan said firmly. 

I also don’t trust anyone else with the power of the yin iron, but you don’t need to know that yet, Lan Zhan thought to himself. 

Lan Qiren hummed. 

“How long do you think that this mission will take you?” He asked. “What about the lectures?” 

“We really are not sure. She didn’t really give us any hints beyond telling us it would be dangerous and that we were a good match.” Wei Ying replied. 

“Wei Ying can catch up on the material once we return. He will be my husband. There is plenty of time to teach him after we obey the instructions of the ancestors.” Lan Zhan added. Try to refute that, he thought to himself. 

Lan Xichen looked at his brother.

There was definitely more to that story. 

“What else happened in the cave?” He asked. 

Lan Zhan met his gaze, but his eyes didn’t reveal anything. 

“Oh, there were rabbits wearing headbands which is how we knew that we had to use Lan Zhan’s ribbon to tie ourselves together when the guqin started attacking me, but we already released them into the back hills.” Wei Ying replied. 

Lan Xichen’s eyes widened. “You bound your hands with Lan Zhan’s ribbon and then met a Lan ancestor?” He asked. 

Xichen watched his brother. “I assume you bowed to her?” He asked. 

“Mn.” Lan Zhan replied with a shallow nod. “Three times.” 

Xichen signed. “Well I guess it’s a good thing that you’re already engaged.” He said. 

Lan Qiren used every ounce of self-control in his body to not pinch the bridge in his nose and sigh. 

“Wangji…” 

Lan Zhan looked at him, unflinchingly. "We have her blessing." 

Wei Ying settled his hand over Lan Zhan’s, lowering the tension in the room. “We know that this is sudden and very unusual, but I hope that you trust Lan Zhan enough to allow us to try to complete this task.” 

Lan Xichen made a mental note of the way that Wei Wuxian didn’t add himself into that statement. He didn’t expect them to trust him, only Lan Zhan. It was as if he assumed his word would not sway them enough. 

“I’ll get to work on the arrangements for your wedding while you two begin looking for the other pieces of this iron. You will return once a month to check in, restock supplies, and rest. When you’re here, the healers will look over you and you will spend a day with Xichen and I before departing again. No matter what happens out there, you will return to us each month, those are my conditions.” Lan Qiren said. 

Lan Zhan’s eyes widened, betraying his shock. 

Out of everything he’d thought that his uncle was about to say, that wasn’t it. 

“Of course, Uncle.” Lan Zhan replied. 

Wei Ying smiled and bowed. “Thank you, Grandmaster.” 

Lan Qiren sighed as he stood up. “Be awake and gone before the other disciples find out you stayed together… and please exhibit some semblance of self control. You are engaged, but you have yet to marry in front of the ancestors, despite Lan Yi's blessing.” 

Wei Ying pouted. “Of course -” He started to say, only to be interrupted by Lan Qiren holding up his hand. 

“I wasn’t talking to you.” He said with a very pointed look at Lan Zhan. 

Lan Zhan didn’t flinch, his face steady as he looked at his uncle.  

Lan Qiren sighed and walked out of the Jingshi mumbling about nephews and grey hairs. 

Wei Ying let out a shocked giggle as they returned to the Jingshi. “He told you to behave… you .” 

“Mn.” 

“You’re so different from what everyone said you were like.” Wei Ying said, staring at Lan Zhan lovingly. 

Lan Zhan froze. “Do you… like it?” He asked. 

Wei Ying stopped him with a gentle hand, resting his hand against Lan Zhan’s cheek. “I love you .” 

Lan Zhan wrapped his arm around Wei Ying’s waist and pulled him closer. He leaned down and kissed Wei Ying’s lips softly. “I love you too, Wei Ying, more than anything. I love you.”

Lan Zhan fell asleep with Wei Ying in his arms, holding his lover close as his mind raced with thoughts of the future. 

He’d gotten Wei Ying away from the Jiangs and taken care of Meng Yao, but now everything was drastically different from the past. 

He didn’t know what to expect now that they’d changed so much. 

They arrived in Caiyi just in time to see the city burst into life, vendors setting out their merchandise, buyers roaming the streets, and people of all ages making their way into the roads. 

Wei Ying was much more awake by the time they’d descended into the city, eagerly bouncing from stall to stall, gazing at each of the treasures he found. 

Once in a while, he’d show one to Lan Zhan, who’d smile and nod.

They traveled until they reached the western border of Caiyi where they found an inn to stay in for the night. 

Lan Zhan spread out a map on the table that night. He placed a mark over Gusu. “We have one piece from Gusu. Now we need to figure out which direction to head.” 

Wei Ying hummed. “She mentioned that her best friend was Baoshan Sanren, my mother’s master. Perhaps we should travel up the river toward Yiling where they were last seen. We will have to avoid Yunmeng Jiang lands, but if we stay to the northern border, we should be okay. “ 

Lan Zhan looked at him quickly and nodded. “Alright.” He said softly, folding up the map. “We’ll leave in the morning.” 

Wei Ying smiled and wrapped his arms around Lan Zhan’s neck.

He pressed a kiss to Lan Zhan’s lips, pulling at the knot of Lan Zhan’s headband until it fell. 

Lan Zhan’s grip around Wei Ying’s hips tightened.

He grabbed the other man and tossed him onto the bed behind him, following quickly after. 

Wei Ying’s breath came in short pants as he writhed against Lan Zhan’s strong body. 

No matter how much he pushed or pulled, Lan Zhan was like a stone, holding Wei Ying where he wanted him. It was making Wei Ying’s head spin, the easy way that Lan Zhan was able to hold him down and take what he wanted. 

Wei Ying grabbed Lan Zhan’s belt, but the other man quickly pinned his hands above his head. “I would like nothing more than to take you right here, my love, but you deserve better than an inn and a strange bed for our first time together.” 

Wei Ying whined and pulled at his hands. “I don’t need fancy. I need you.” 

“It may not be what you want, my love, but it is what you deserve. Imagine what it will feel like when I strip the red robes from your skin and lay you out on our wedding bed. Imagine the pleasure as I take you apart over and over again. I promise that it will be worth it.” Lan Zhan replied, pressing gentle kisses to Wei Ying’s skin. 

Wei Ying pouted. “If we aren’t married by the end of the year, I’m going to tie you down with that damn ribbon of yours and take what I want.” He pouted. 

Lan Zhan laughed and nodded. “Deal.” 

Wei Ying sighed, reaching up to press another kiss to Lan Zhan’s lips. “I love you, Lan Zhan. Promise me that you’ll never let me go… no matter what happens.” 

Lan Zhan frowned down at him and tightened his hold around his lover. “I swear to you, the gods themselves wouldn’t be able to take me from you. I am never letting you go…” again - he added in his mind. 

Wei Ying curled into Lan Zhan’s chest.

Lan Zhan’s mind was racing.

What did Wei Ying mean? 

Did he suspect something was going to happen? 

Chapter Text

Chapter 19: 

Dangerous Affiliations 

Wei Ying and Lan Zhan set out toward Yiling the next morning. 

The journey on their swords was quick, both able to fly faster and longer than most cultivators their age. 

Wei Ying’s laughter brought a smile to Lan Zhan’s lips as he flipped around in the air. 

Lan Zhan loved the freedom with which his lover expressed himself when it was just them, completely at ease to show off his abilities without fear of condemnation. 

Lan Zhan watched Wei Ying chat with the various sellers in the market, lightly pulling information from them without ever seeming suspicious.

It was a gift that Lan Zhan did not possess. Which is why he found himself standing behind Wei Ying protectively, lending him strength, but not interfering. 

As they made their way down the street Lan Zhan felt a shift in the energy. It was a gentle pull toward something. 

He turned to Wei Ying, only to find him chatting with a spice seller. 

Lan Zhan took a breath and shook himself, resting his hand on Wei Ying’s hip to ground himself. He felt his shoulders relax as he let Wei Ying’s presence reassure him. 

Wei Ying was there with him. He wasn’t facing everything alone, hungry and hurt in the middle of a decaying mountain. He was alive and healthy. His golden core was in his chest, giving him the strength to survive with every beat of his heart. 

Wei Ying looked up at Lan Zhan. “Are you alright?” He asked. 

Lan Zhan nodded. “I am fine. Why don’t we go sit in the tea house. Perhaps they will have something to inform us of.” 

Wei Ying smiled and nodded. 

As they sat down in the tea house, Lan Zhan was hit with a barrage of memories - a child’s soft laughter, the scent of herbal tea, the soft fluttering of a butterfly toy beside him. 

He felt Wei Ying grab his hand. “Lan Zhan.” He said softly. 

Lan Zhan smiled. “I’m alright, Wei Ying, just lost in my own thoughts.” 

Wei Ying frowned. “Would you like to talk about it?” He asked. 

Lan Zhan shook his head. “It's nothing, my love. I am just trying to consider where the other pieces of the Yin Iron could be hidden.” 

He didn't like lying to Wei Ying, but what else was he supposed to say - I'm remembering a past where I failed to protect you and your child, a child you don't even know about? 

Wei Ying’s frown didn’t leave, but he nodded and took his hand from across the table. “We’ll find them. We’re doing this together, after all.” 

Lan Zhan’s lips twitched into a smile. “You’re right.” 

They learned three things from the man in the tea house. 

One, four Wen disciples had come through town and headed northeast looking for something that they refused to describe, citing only that they were acting for their clan leader. They’d left just over a week prior.

Two, the energy from the Burial Mounds had become even greater in the past few months, but no one had been able to figure out the cause. 

Three, a couple months prior, a large flash of light had emanated from the center of the Burial Mounds for several moments before disappearing. 

They did not learn anything regarding Wei Ying’s parents or the time when they died. In fact, almost every person they spoke to had no idea what they were talking about. 

It was odd, but there was no time to spare on dead ends. 

Lan Zhan tried to offer comfort to Wei Ying as every question about the late cultivators was met with quick dismissal and no answers. 

Later, the two cultivators sat down in their room in the inn that they had chosen for the night with their map splayed out in front of them once more. 

“Something happened in the Burial Mounds and something caused Wen cultivators to travel northeast as they searched for something. If we investigate the Burial Mounds, we may not catch up to the Wens to see what they are up to. If we go after the Wens, it may be some time before we are able to come back to the Burial Mounds to investigate.” Wei Ying said, frustrated. 

Lan Zhan hummed, frowning. “We both know that the Waterborne Abyss was not an accident. Is it selfish of me to want to know what they’re after?” He asked. 

Wei Ying’s jaw clenched and he shook his head. “No, it’s not selfish. I’ve been wondering the same thing. What was the point of that? Was it a test? Is that why I saw Wen Qing trying to find the back hills?” 

“Mn.” Lan Zhan hummed. 

“What is the likelihood that they are after the Yin Iron as well?” Wei Ying asked after a long moment of silence. 

Lan Zhan tensed, remembering the power that Wen Ruohan had manipulated with his pieces of the Yin Iron. 

“We will head Northeast in the morning. Whatever it is, we need to know. Something tells me that our peace will not be long lived if they get it.” 

Wei Ying nodded. “We should stock up on supplies just in case we have to live rough for a few days.” 

Lan Zhan nodded. “Agreed.” 

The next morning, the two of them set out towards the Northeast after gathering their supplies. 

Wei Ying pulled out a piece of talisman parchment and quickly wrote out something, sending it into the air. 

It flew forward toward the river and then vanished. 

“They traveled toward the river.” He said. 

“Mn.” Lan Zhan replied, not at all shocked by the sudden use of an unknown talisman. 

They made it back to the river just north of Caiyi around midday.  

As they travelled up the river, they took note of the traces left behind by others - an abandoned fire pit, the bones of a small mammal that they’d caught and ate. 

Finally, proof of who they were following came in the form of an abandoned robe on the bank of the river. 

The sun embroidery confirmed their suspicions. The Wen cultivators had traveled this way. 

Wei Ying’s talisman continued to lead them up the river - but to what, they weren’t sure. 

They slept in the woods that night, tucked into each other tightly. 

The second day was the same - an old trail and no signs of recent activity. 

The question of what they were after lingered in the air as the Yin Iron weighed heavily in the pouch on Lan Zhan’s hip. 

It was during the third day of their journey that Lan Zhan realized where they were heading. 

There was only one place that sat between Caiyi and Qishan along this river and the Wen disciples would not have dared to return home without the item that they were searching for. 

“Wei Ying…” Lan Zhan started to say, intending on warning him of the danger that they were approaching. 

His words were cut off as a loud growl echoed from behind him. 

They turned toward the noise, only to jump back as creatures swarmed from the treetops, dropping down around them. 

There were at least ten of them, each one snarling and pacing around the cultivators. 

Instinctively, Wei Ying and Lan Zhan put themselves back to back, protecting one another. 

The creatures were coated in demonic energy, the dark, oozing power rolling off of them. 

They were corpse-like, their skin dripping off of them and their eyes glazed with death. 

Whatever creatures they had been were nearly unrecognizable as the putrid decay covering their bodies stripped them of any identifying characteristics. 

“Lan Zhan, these creatures are already dead.” Wei Ying said. 

Lan Zhan took a second to glance at Wei Ying.

His tone was different. 

The way that he spat the word “dead” was far too similar to the way Wei Ying - the old Wei Ying - used to talk about the Wen remnants’ mistreatment. 

It was a vicious anger, the type that came from witnessing something so unjust that it makes your skin crawl. 

“Wei Ying.” Lan Zhan said softly, concerned and confused. 

“Embed Bichen with pure energy as you kill them or they will continue to rise and strike out at you.” Wei Ying said, staring at the monsters in front of him.

“Alright.” Lan Zhan said, raising Bichen out in front of himself. 

They'd speak about it later when they weren't facing a swarm of demonic beasts. 

There was a moment where the whole world seemed to stop. 

Then all hell broke loose. 

The demonic creatures surged forward with harsh, slobbering growls. 

Their teeth snapped as they lunged toward the cultivators. 

Lan Zhan attacked back with just as much ferocity. 

He could feel Wei Ying at his back and it made him all the more desperate to kill these creatures. 

Four were dead in a matter of minutes. 

Then two more fell to their blades. 

Lan Zhan had one of the creatures pinned with Bichen when he heard Wei Ying scream his name. 

“Lan Zhan!” Wei Ying’s voice carried through the trees. “In the tree!” He screamed. 

Lan Zhan turned to see one of the other creatures in the tree above him, readying itself to launch towards him. 

He couldn’t pull Bichen from the other creature until it was completely dead or it would just attack him again.  

He contemplated his options.

He could try to pull out his Guqin with one hand, but he’d never battled with a blade and his Guqin at the same time.

It would take a lot of power to maintain both, power he wasn’t sure he had left. 

Still, Wei Ying was fighting two on his own not very far away, so trying would be his only chance at surviving. 

Just as he pulled Wangji into existence, he heard a loud, piercing whistle from Wei Ying’s direction. 

His whole body froze and his eyes widened. 

He spun around. 

He’d never forget that whistle, not in a thousand lifetimes. 

Chapter Text

Chapter 20: 

An Explanation

Just as he pulled Wangji into existence, he heard a loud, piercing whistle from Wei Ying’s direction. 

His whole body froze and his eyes widened. 

He spun around. 

He’d never forget that whistle, not in a thousand lifetimes.  

Wei Ying was standing there with his arms outstretched, red energy pouring off of him.

His eyes were glowing red as he glared at the creatures surrounding them. 

The whistle sounded again, Wei Ying’s eyes pinned on the creature in the tree. 

“Do not touch him.” Wei Ying growled. 

The creatures slowly backed away, easing to the ground. 

"Be gone." Wei Ying hissed. 

Before Lan Zhan’s eyes, the dark energy surrounding the creatures gathered and then sunk into the earth, dissipating. 

All that was left were the bodies of the dead creatures scattered around them. 

Lan Zhan stepped forward toward Wei Ying, but the other man stepped away, dropping his gaze. 

“Lan Zhan, I’m so-” 

Lan Zhan shook his head and grabbed Wei Ying by the hand, pulling him close. He used his other hand to caress Wei Ying’s cheek, pressing his lips to his fiancé’s. 

He kissed the other man urgently. 

It took a moment for the shock to wear off, but when it did, Wei Ying returned the kiss with just as much passion, gripping Lan Zhan’s robes tightly. 

“Wei Ying.” Lan Zhan said softly, staring into Wei Ying’s eyes. The red had faded back to the beautiful, familiar grey during the kiss. 

“It’s you. You’re my Wei Ying, my beautiful Wei Ying.” Lan Zhan said, his thumb running over Wei Ying’s cheekbone gently. 

Wei Ying searched his eyes. “You’re not mad?” 

Lan Zhan pulled Wei Ying into a hug, tucking his face into Wei Ying’s neck. “I could never be mad at you. I’m confused and worried, but never mad.” 

Suddenly everything made sense. Wei Ying’s words in the back hill, the way he seemed worried about something happening to make Lan Zhan leave him, the way he never questioned the change in Lan Zhan’s attitude. 

“When did you return?” Lan Zhan asked. 

“A little bit after the Waterborne Abyss.” Wei Ying admitted, his head low. “I’m sorry. I know you probably -” 

“Look at me, Wei Ying.” Lan Zhan interrupted firmly.

He recognized the spiral of self-deprecating thoughts.

He knew what Wei Ying was thinking and he was not going to allow him to lament on false inadequacies again. 

Wei Ying looked up, his eyes brimming with unshed tears. “I love you, Wei Ying. I - love - you .” He said firmly. 

Wei Ying’s lips twitched up into a smile. “So you don’t care that I’m cultivating resentful energy again?” He asked. 

Lan Zhan shook his head, wiping away the stray tear that fell down Wei Ying’s cheek. “If you wanted to take over the world, I’d help you burn down your enemies' homes and destroy the people that stood against you.” 

Wei Ying’s eyes widened. “Woah. Seriously? What happened to the righteous path that had no room for experimental thought.” 

“It took you from me.” Lan Zhan replied. 

Wei Ying’s shoulders dropped and he searched Lan Zhan’s expression for any hint of a lie. “You loved me even then?” He asked. 

Lan Zhan frowned. “You did not know?” 

Wei Ying shook his head. “I - I thought.” 

Lan Zhan sighed. “You are so brilliant and yet you fail to see what is right in front of you sometimes.” He said 

“Hey -” Wei Ying protested, only for his words to be lost behind Lan Zhan’s lips. 

Lan Zhan grabbed Wei Ying’s wrists and pinned him against a nearby tree, kissing him deeply. 

He ran his hand down Wei Ying’s side, squeezing Wei Ying’s hip tightly. 

He'd held Wei Ying like this in another lifetime, against a different tree in a different land. 

When he pulled away he looked into Wei Ying’s eyes calmly. 

Wei Ying was staring at him. “Holy shit. You kissed me back then. You kissed me during the competition. It was you!” He said, his lips breaking into a wide grin. 

“And yet you still did not realize. What maiden could possibly pin you against a tree and lean down to kiss you?” Lan Zhan asked. 

Wei Ying stuttered, blushing. “Hey! That was my first kiss! How was I supposed to know that -” 

Once again, his words were lost as Lan Zhan kissed him.

This kiss was much rougher.

Wei Ying’s breath was pulled from his lungs as he was picked up and pushed against the trunk of the tree. 

Lan Zhan’s hands were warm against his thighs as he supported him, using his body to push him into the tree. 

Wei Ying used his newfound freedom to wrap his arms around Lan Zhan’s neck, playing with his hair. 

He wrapped his legs around Lan Zhan’s waist, grinding against his lover. 

“Lan Zhan…” Wei Ying breathed out. 

“I was your first kiss?” Lan Zhan asked. 

“Mmm, ye-yes? Why? Oh gods. Fuck, do that again.” Wei Ying whined as Lan Zhan hitched his hips up into Wei Ying’s. 

Wei Ying’s head fell back against the tree. 

Lan Zhan growled, repeating the motion as he settled his hand around Wei Ying’s neck. 

“Fuck, if I’d known telling you that would cause this, I would’ve told you that back in Cloud Recesses.” Wei Ying said. 

“If you’d told me this back at Cloud Recesses, I would not have honored you like you deserve.” Lan Zhan replied, leaving a trail of love bites up Wei Ying’s neck. 

Wei Ying arched his neck to give Lan Zhan more space. “Screw the honor. No, actually, screw me… please screw me.” Wei Ying whined. 

Lan Zhan contemplated it. 

Who would know?

The ancestors had already given their blessing, technically they were married to the Lan ancestors.

It was only tradition and the elders that said they needed to wed before sleeping together. 

“You won’t regret this?” Lan Zhan asked. “I promised to do right by you this time.” 

Wei Ying growled, leaning forward to look Lan Zhan in the eyes. His eyes flashed red, sending a bolt of lust through Lan Zhan. “I have been waiting for you to fuck me for years, Lan Zhan. I swear to the gods, you better not leave me against this tree wanting you for another goddamn minute. I cultivate with resentful energy. I bring back the dead. I am a heretic to the world, a demon without a soul. I can deal with a little less honor on my wedding day.” 

Lan Zhan lunged forward and pressed his lips against Wei Ying’s lips, pressing his tongue into his lover’s mouth. 

He felt Wei Ying wince slightly at the pressure against his back and pulled Wei Ying away from the tree. 

He walked him over to a clear spot near the bank of the river where the grass was thick and green. 

He laid his lover down, taking a moment to just look at him. 

He pressed a gentle kiss to Wei Ying’s lips. “I love you, Wei Ying.” 

Wei Ying smiled up at him. “I love you too, Lan Zhan.” He whispered. 

Lan Zhan pulled his headband and wrapped it around Wei Ying’s wrists, binding them together. 

Wei Ying sighed into Lan Zhan’s lips as the other man untied the belt around his waist. 

Wei Ying shifted so that his tied hands were behind Lan Zhan’s head, keeping the man close. 

His robes fell open, revealing every inch of skin to Lan Zhan’s intense eyes. 

Lan Zhan explored Wei Ying’s body like a fascinating text, reading each and every inch of skin as if it held the secrets to life. 

His warm, calloused hands trailed across Wei Ying’s skin, making Wei Ying gasp in pleasure. 

His tongue and lips took away Wei Ying’s breath, sending him into ecstasy. 

Lan Zhan knew that oil would make things easier, but they didn’t have that option and he was fairly certain that stopping now would only result in Wei Ying castrating him. 

Spit would have to do. 

Lan Zhan prepared Wei Ying slowly, watching the way he nearly fell apart just from his fingers. Wei Ying’s back arched nearly in half the first time Lan Zhan found his prostate. 

Wei Ying leaned up to look at Lan Zhan. “There is no way you’re going to fit.” 

Lan Zhan smirked as he used one hand to pin Wei Ying to the ground and the other to guide his penis into Wei Ying. 

Wei Ying’s high pitched scream of pleasure echoed through the air. 

Lan Zhan bit his tongue as the pleasure threatened to overwhelm him. 

He paused for a moment, letting Wei Ying adjust. He pressed gentle kissed to Wei Ying’s face and chest. 

Wei Ying’s grip on his hair loosened slightly. 

When Wei Ying visibly relaxed, he eased forward.

The two moved together, finding a rhythm that left both men gasping in pleasure. 

“Lan Zhan.” Wei Ying whined after a particular stroke to his prostate. 

Lan Zhan smiled and repeated the motion, sending Wei Ying arching off of the ground. 

Wei Ying screamed Lan Zhan’s name as his body bowed and his legs tightened around Lan Zhan’s hips. 

The two cultivators came together in a transcendent rush of endorphins. 

Energy burst out of both cultivators, a bright, blue, pure light intertwining with a pulsing, powerful red. 

The lights tangled together above the cultivators and then flowed softly back into them, spreading out from their cores to the very tips of their bodies, coating them in the mixed energies. 

Wei Ying gasped, his eyes flashing red. It was like every nerve fiber in his body fired at the same time. 

Lan Zhan's arms trembled and he let out a short, shocked gasp at the sensation. 

A few seconds later, when Lan Zhan felt like he could move again, he gently untied the ribbon from around Wei Ying’s wrists. He kissed his lover’s hands gently as he eased them back to the ground beside him. 

He pressed gentle kisses to Wei Ying’s body as the other man caught his breath, his eyes closed and his head thrown back against the soft grass.

“What was that?” Lan Zhan asked softly, panting from the effects of the energy pulsing through him. 

Wei Ying held up a finger. Give me a moment . 

Lan Zhan tried not to feel exorbitant pride at that. Whatever, he'd meditate on it later. 

“I’m pretty sure we just dual cultivated with three natural energies.” Wei Ying panted, his hands trembling. 

“Three?” Lan Zhan asked. 

“Three. My golden core is still circling in my dantians, but my resentful core is as well.” Wei Ying replied.

Lan Zhan looked at him. He wasn’t quite sure how to reply to that. 

Three cores mixing had never been done. 

Hell, a person having two cores had never been done before either.

Wei Ying’s eyes opened and he smiled at Lan Zhan. He leaned up and caressed Lan Zhan’s cheek. “I love you.” He whispered. 

Lan Zhan  gazed down at his lover. “I love you too.”

They rinsed off in the river and washed off their clothes. Wei Ying used a talisman to dry their clothes and start a fire. 

After eating a meal of dried fruits and fish, they curled up in each other’s arms, the warmth of the fire casting a soft glow over their faces. 

Lan Zhan pressed a gentle kiss to Wei Ying’s shoulder. 

“It’s always been you hasn’t it? You’ve been back for a while.” Lan Zhan asked. 

Wei Ying nodded. “Yeah.” Wei Ying tucked himself into Lan Zhan’s chest. “You don’t hate me?” 

“Would I be doing all of this if I hated you, my love?” Lan Zhan asked, running his hand over Wei Ying’s arm. 

Wei Ying chuckled and shook his head. “I guess not.” 

Lan Zhan nodded. “What happened… the night that… that I lost you…?” 

Wei Ying’s words drifted through the air, his voice soft as he recalled the moments before his death. 

“I knew before I ever left the Burial Mounds that the world would never allow me to live in peace, not with the power I yielded. So before I left to get my revenge against Wen Chao and his tyrant father, I made an agreement with the spirits.” Wei Ying said softly, his eyes distant as he thought about the past. 

“You knew that they were going to kill you.” Lan Zhan said, his voice pained. "You knew that the cultivation world would turn on you and you still saved them." 

Why had Wei Ying not come to him? 

Wei Ying nodded. “I knew that someone was manipulating things behind the scenes, but it wasn't until I heard Meng Yao humming the Collection of Turmoil that I was able to put everything together. Suddenly, everything made sense. The second tone I kept hearing, the way Nie Mingjue died so suddenly, the way Meng Yao was always in just the right place to come out smelling like roses.” He said, a growl to his words. 

“The day of the one month ceremony. You knew that it was a trap.” Lan Zhan said. 

It wasn’t a question. 

Wei Ying nodded. “I could feel the lack of resentment in the air before we even got to Qiongqi Path. I didn’t trust the letter and I didn’t trust Meng Yao. As I suspected, it was an ambush. Jin Zixun was there, talking about a curse I’d supposedly put on him and then Jin Zixuan showed up. He lunged forward and the next thing I knew, a fight had broken out. I heard the sound of the second flute again, but it was too late. They were dead. Wen Ning was only protecting me, but in doing so, he’d put a price on our heads.” 

“I wanted to get the remaining Wen to safety - Wen Yuan to safety - so I returned to the Burial Mounds and prepared for the worst. It wasn’t long before Jiang Cheng showed up with the rest of the leaders of the cultivation world, calling for my death.” Wei Ying said, bitterness in his words as he remembered the minutes before his death. “He’d decided to make do on his threats.” 

“He threatened you?” He asked. "Before that night, he'd threatened you?" 

“He told me he’d kill me if I ever did something to bring shame to the Jiangs again. I knew that it was a matter of time that he’d deem something that I did as shameful and come for me.” Wei Ying replied. “So even if Meng Yao hadn’t been manipulating things, Jiang Cheng was always going to be there that day, demanding my death.” 

Lan Zhan growled, his eyes burning with rage. “I should’ve killed him.” 

Wei Ying chuckled. “You’ll have your opportunity. What happened when you arrived? I remember seeing you, but you weren’t with the original group that came to kill me.” 

“Nie Huiasang came to me that day in a panic. He said that things were not as they seemed, that Jin Guangyao was far more capable than anyone gave him credit for. It wasn’t an explanation, but I knew that it was all that I’d get out of him.” Lan Zhan explained softly. 

Wei Ying hummed. 

“I went to find Meng Yao. I wanted answers. I wanted him to tell me what was going on. I found him with my brother. Xichen-ge had always been a soft-hearted, naive man. He played into Meng Yao’s plan exactly as that rat had planned.” Lan Zhan said. 

Wei Ying rubbed the back of his lover’s hand with his thumb. 

“Meng Yao looked my brother in the eye and told him that you couldn’t be trusted. He told him that I was under a curse and that my mind wasn’t clear… and Xichen believed him. It was so easy for my brother to turn against me, so natural - it was as if we were strangers. I begged, I begged Xichen to trust me, to help me, but he did nothing.” Lan Zhan growled, his grip tightening slightly. “They locked me in a room - for my safety - they said.” 

“I watched through the window as my brother stood with the other leaders, preparing to attack you - to kill you. You were going to have no one with you. Jiang Cheng stood in the front of the charge. I still remember that look in his eyes, it was the same one he had whenever we went looking for you during the war - he was itching to kill something. Only this time, that something was you . I couldn’t let that happen. I couldn’t let you stand alone against all of those fucking hypocrites.” Lan Zhan explained. 

Wei Ying stayed silent, letting his lover get it out, letting him speak the words aloud for the first time. 

“My uncle stopped me as I broke out of the room, telling me to think about what it would mean to stand against the righteous path. I told him that the only righteous path was the one that did not stand beside the slaughter of innocents and that I was heading toward the righteous path.” Lan Zhan said. 

“I found you in the middle of a battle against the leaders of the cultivation world. Every single one of them battling to kill the innocents taking refuge behind you. I started fighting for you, but you were getting tired and the Jin had already killed so many of the remaining Wen.” 

~ Flashback ~

Wei Ying was battling with everything he had, his dizi raised to his lips and his eyes glowing red. 

Red energy danced around him. 

Lan Zhan felt the shift as the music began to grow more desperate. 

He quickly dispatched the man he was fighting, pulling Bichen from the man’s head and spinning around to figure out what was happening to the man he loved. 

It was chaos. 

People were screaming, spirits were rising out of the ground in droves as they dove to protect Wei Ying. The dead rose just as they fell, coming to Wei Ying’s aid by trying to create a wall in front of the Wen Remnants. 

Lan Zhan saw Jiang approaching Wei Ying, his blade raised. He tried to get between the cultivators to get closer, but he was pushed back. 

“You will not destroy the reputation of the Jiang Clan any more than you already have. You owe us everything!” Jiang Cheng spat. “I have rebuilt my home from scratch and you will not take it from me again!” 

Wei Ying didn’t acknowledge him, continuing to play his songs with desperation. 

Lan Zhan watched as Jiang Cheng’s blade arched toward him. 

He launched himself forward, but as he sliced his way through the bodies of the people standing between them, desperate to reach Wei Ying before the blade connected, he realized he was too late. 

He watched as his husband in all but ceremony let himself fall to Jiang Cheng’s blade. 

The instant the light left Wei Ying’s eyes, something shifted. . 

Silence filled the air for a heartbeat. Not even the dead made sounds. 

In another instant, power exploded out of Lan Zhan like a tidal wave. A red tether to Wei Ying’s heart became tangible, pulling the two towards one another . 

Lan Zhan gathered Wei Ying’s body in his arms, a guttural scream falling from his lips. 

Lan Zhan paid no attention to his brother screaming his name. If he’d cared, he wouldn’t have driven his lover to his death. 

He tuned out the shouting as the world watched the peerless Hanguan-Jun transcend from his mortal being into something greater. 

Lan Zhan drew in a breath and it was like his power responded to the shuddering sob.

A bright, beautiful, blue light pulsed from his chest, intertwining with the just as beautiful red light emanating from Wei Ying’s body. 

The entangled lights pulsed together for several moments before they sped towards Jiang Cheng’s chest. 

They entered his body at the lower dantian. It was quiet as the world waited to see what would happen. 

The two lights pulsed and then they yanked. 

They pulled and they pulled until a pure, golden light flowed back with them. 

Jiang Cheng shrieked as the feeling of emptiness replaced the warmth that had been there only seconds prior. 

A terrible understanding filled Lan Zhan’s eyes before fury replaced what little notion of mercy he had left. 

Lan Zhan met Jiang Cheng’s gaze - predator making eye contact with his prey. 

“Fuck you.” He snarled, startling gasps out of the people around them. “Fuck you and your self righteousness. You didn’t deserve what he gave you. You don’t deserve anything.” 

Those were the last words heard by anyone as the three energies combined into an explosion of white light. 

~ End of Flashback ~

“I don’t remember anything after that until I woke up back in Cloud Recesses, the traces of you gone from my home and my body unfamiliar with my power.” Lan Zhan said. 

Wei Ying looked at his husband with tears in his eyes. “You reached immortality. You reached immortality and now you have to do it all over again.” 

“I don’t know what or who or why I was allowed this chance to come back to you, but I’m glad I was.” Lan Zhan added. “If the price was my immortality, then I’ll rejoice as I cultivate for as long as I’m allowed by the ancestors. Years without you are not years I wish to live.” 

Wei Ying turned around in the water and rested his hand on Lan Zhan’s cheek. 

“When I made the agreement with the Burial Mounds, it was with the knowledge that my soul was already shattered. I promised her the remainder of my soul as long as she protected you. In the event of my death, I agreed to let her use me, use my power, to protect you.” Wei Ying said softly. 

Lan Zhan looked at him in shock. “What?” 

Wei Ying nodded. “The only thing I could think about as I battled for control of the resentful energy when I was first thrown into the Burial Mounds was you. I didn’t know that you cared for me in the same way, but I had to do something to protect you.” 

Lan Zhan’s eyes filled with tears as he leaned forward to kiss Wei Ying’s lips, his hand raising to cup Wei Ying’s neck gently. 

“What happened, Wei Ying? Why did he have your Golden Core?” He asked. 

Wei Ying turned his gaze to the fire. 

“I gave them everything that they demanded and it still wasn’t enough. I knew that I could live without my Golden Core long enough to survive the war, but Jiang Cheng relied on his power for everything. He was dying without it. So, I had Wen Qing cut my Golden Core from my chest... and then I watched as Jiang Cheng used it to destroy everything that I believed in.” Wei Ying said. 

Lan Zhan tightened his grip on Wei Ying. “I’m sorry, my love.” 

Wei Ying shook his head. “It will never happen again.” He said. 

Several minutes later, after gathering themselves, Lan Zhan frowned slightly. “Does that mean that it was the Burial Mounds that sent us back?” He asked. 

Wei Ying hummed. “Kind of. I think that the combination of power caused a backlash - the burial mounds saved my soul from being destroyed in the exact moment that yours cried out for its soulmate. Combine that energy with a forced reckoning into immortality by anguish and you’ve got enough power to pull something like this off. At least, that's my theory...” 

“So why didn’t you recognize me right away?” He asked. 

“I didn’t recall my memories back until a while after the waterborne abyss.” Wei Ying replied. “When I did, it was like my golden core and the resentful core I’d cultivated were perfectly in sync with one another. I wasn’t struggling for control like I was when I was without my core. This time, it's like everything is multiplied and cohesive, one big melting pot of energy - a balanced yin and yang if you want to think about it that way.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Lan Zhan asked. "When you first came back, why didn't you tell me?" 

Wei Ying chuckled slightly. “I wasn't sure what you were planning at first, but then you were so adorable trying to win me over. I knew that you had a plan and I trusted you to take care of it. I helped in some ways, but I didn’t want to ruin what you'd started. Things had started off well with what you’d changed so I wanted to see where things went. I’d tried my hand at doing things my way and ended up dead for it. I wanted to try doing things your way.” 

Lan Zhan was silent for several moments. “You let her whip you.” He said. 

Wei Ying nodded. “It was the only way to get out of her control and keep the other sects on our side.” 

Lan Zhan growled slightly. “I’m still killing them for daring to touch you.” 

Wei Ying laughed. “Alright.” 

Lan Zhan looked at him in surprise. “You’re not going to stop me? Or ask me to spare them?” He asked. 

Wei Ying scoffed. “They demanded everything from me and when I gave it, it still wasn’t enough for them. My family is here.” He said, pointing at Lan Zhan’s heart. 

Lan Zhan pulled Wei Ying into a kiss, their tongues battling for control. 

Lan Zhan felt Wei Ying’s hands tangle into his hair, pulling roughly. 

He growled and pushed forward until they were flipped, Wei Ying pinned underneath him. 

“You will never let someone hurt you again. I don’t care what happens. Do not let someone else lay their hands against your skin. You are mine to mark and no one else’s.” Lan Zhan growled, biting into Wei Ying’s shoulder roughly. 

Wei Ying let out a loud, pleading whine. “Yes. Yes!” He replied. “Only you!” 

They were forced back into the river to rinse off again , but with a quick warming talisman and more wood on the fire, they were warm within a few minutes. 

“So you know that Meng Yao’s death wasn’t an accident.” Lan Zhan said softly. 

Wei Ying nodded. “I know an organized death when I see one. You’re far sneakier than anyone gives you credit for.”

“I had help.” Lan Zhan replied. 

Wei Ying raised his eyebrow. “Nie Huiasang?” He asked. 

Lan Zhan nodded. “He gets flashes of the other time. I’m not entirely sure if he remembers everything, but he at least knew not to trust Meng Yao.” 

“And your brother using the dizi - was that a new development?” He asked. 

“His xiao was broken the night that I returned. I’d always wondered why my brother had gone from being a strong, kind leader to someone that would turn his back on our teachings so thoroughly. When I discovered the shard from his broken xiao, I knew that something more was going on.” Lan Zhan replied. 

“That shard you showed me? The one with the inscription?” He asked. 

Lan Zhan nodded. “Meng Yao had given the xiao to my brother. If it was the same in that time, then my brother was under Meng Yao’s influence long before the war.” He said. 

Wei Ying took his hand and kissed Lan Zhan’s wrist. “I’m sorry, Lan Zhan.” He said. 

Lan Zhan shook his head. “It won’t be like that this time. Meng Yao’s dead and the xiao is broken.” 

“What broke the xiao?” Wei Ying asked. “Spiritual tools like that are normally unbreakable.” 

“Lan Xichen said that he thought the wind hit it or something, but he didn’t know. He found it broken inside his room on the floor.” Lan Zhan replied. 

Wei Ying frowned. “That’s unlikely. Something broke that xiao. Something powerful.” 

Lan Zhan nodded. “Add it to the list of mysteries to figure out.” 

Wei Ying snorted. 

“Mn. You were intentionally vulnerable in front of my uncle and brother.” Lan Zhan said. 

“You seemed to want them to like me in this lifetime. I figured the least I could do was play along with your manipulations.” Wei Ying chuckled. 

“The dizi… you played in front of my brother during lessons intentionally.” Lan Zhan recalled. 

“And what a wonderful way to make your brother think well of his future brother in law.” Wei Ying replied. 

Lan Zhan let out a shocked laugh. “You’ve been helping me all along.” 

Wei Ying smiled and looked him in the eyes. “I’d do anything to be by your side. Now that I know that you love me? I'm never letting you go again. You're stuck with me.”

Lan Zhan smiled. He liked the sound of that.  

The two fell asleep talking about everything. 

From past lives to present. 

They talked about the people that needed to die. 

And those that needed to be saved. 

They talked about the plans that needed to be put into motion. 

And those that needed to be prevented. 

They talked completely openly for the first time in two lifetimes. 

There were no more secrets or half-truths. There was no more hiding to protect each other. 

They were honest about themselves and their lives. 

The next morning, Wei Ying and Lan Zhan woke up to the sounds of bird chirping and the water of the river rushing by. 

“You know exactly where they are headed.” Lan Zhan said. 

Wei Ying nodded. “That stupid cave.” 

Lan Zhan laughed. He couldn't help the wave of relief that had washed over him. His Wei Ying was here. His Wei Ying was standing in front of him, healthy and alive. No matter what they faced now, they were going to do it together. 

“That stupid cave.” He agreed, chuckling to himself as Wei Yiing let out a long, whiny groan. 

Together. 

Chapter Text

Chapter 21: 

That Stupid Cave

“You know exactly where they are headed.” Lan Zhan said. 

Wei Ying nodded. “That stupid cave.” 

Lan Zhan laughed, a tear falling down his cheek. “That stupid cave.” 

Wei Ying looked at him. “I want that sword. It controls the energy from the Yin Iron. I think I can morph its form and prevent Wen Ruohan’s influence from decimating everything we care about.” 

Lan Zhan nodded. “Mn.” 

“No arguments about it being dangerous?” Wei Ying asked. 

Lan Zhan looked at him. “Are you going to sacrifice yourself?” 

“No?” Wei Ying replied, confused. 

“Then I will protect you from everything else.” Lan Zhan replied. 

“See, I don’t know how you kept a straight face while calling me shameless. If anyone is shameless, it’s definitely you!” Wei Ying said, his cheeks burning. 

Lan Zhan grabbed him by the way, whirling him around and dipping him backwards over his arm.

He leaned down and kissed his lover’s lips. “Again I will tell you that there is nothing shameful about my love for you.” 

Wei Ying smiled and leaned up to press a kiss to Lan Zhan’s lips. “Hmm. I like this Lan Zhan.” 

Now that neither of them were trying to pretend that they didn’t know exactly where they were heading, they traveled quickly along the river toward the Xuanwu Cave. 

By the time the midday sun settled over the sky, Wei Ying and Lan Zhan finally caught sight of the familiar landmarks near the cave. 

They descended slowly, keeping an eye on the clearing around the entrance just in case the Wen disciples were around somewhere. 

When they didn’t see or feel any sight of the Wens, they landed. 

“Alright, I’ll coax it up out of the water, you get control of it’s head, and I’ll call the sword to me.” Wei Ying said. 

Lan Zhan nodded. “Wei Ying, you are not alone now. I am here.” He said. “So do not act recklessly. Do not take the man that I love away from me.” 

Wei Ying nodded. “I promise.” 

They found the mouth of the cave easily this time, sliding down the rocky hill into the bottom of the cave easily. 

Wei Ying let out a sharp whistle once Lan Zhan was in his position. 

There was silence for several moments, but then Wei Ying noticed the ripple in the water. 

He nodded to Lan Zhan. 

He walked over to the edge of the water and bit into his thumb. He allowed several drops of blood to drip into the murky water. 

The water started moving faster as the best lurking underneath reacted to the blood. 

Wei Ying tensed, waiting. 

In a sudden burst of motion, the creature erupted out of the water. 

Without injuries and exhaustion holding him back, Lan Zhan quickly grabbed hold of the beast with the Chord Assassinaton Technique and Wei Ying danced out of it's striking range. 

The best thrashed, but Lan Zhan held him steady.  

Wei Ying let his power flow out of him as he called the sword towards him. 

He felt the resistance of the beast trying to keep hold of the power of the blade, but he didn’t relent, pulling and pulling and pulling. . 

He called it firmly, telling the spirits of the blade to come toward him. 

Come to me. 

Let me use your anger. 

Let me guide your revenge to those that deserve it.

Let me give you peace.

Red energy flowed out from Wei Ying’s hand and into the beast.

It pulsed in time with Wei Ying’s breaths. 

Lan Zhan had never appreciated the sheer beauty of what Wei Ying was able to do, to be able to coax resentful energy the way he did. 

The beast started groaning and writhing as the pulsing in Wei Ying’s energy became faster and stronger. 

Lan Zhan breathed deeply as the power in the air flowed over him. 

It was awe-inspiring, the power that his lover commanded. 

Finally, after what simultaneously seemed like a few seconds and several hours, a ripping sound echoed off the walls of the cave. 

The beast let out an ear-shattering shriek. 

The sword, coated in whirling, black, resentful energy, came flying from the side of the giant turtle. 

Flesh and blood erupted outward, spraying the walls of the cave and the two cultivators as the sword exited the turtle's body. 

The sword landed neatly in Wei Ying’s hand, the energy dissolving into the air. 

Wei Ying looked at the sword carefully, studying it. 

“This is far less intimidating when I know what it does.” Wei Ying said. 

Lan Zhan released the guqin strands, snorting softly to himself at Wei Ying's comment. 

The corpse of the beast fell with a loud crash into the water as Lan Zhan let it go.  

Lan Zhan jumped over to where Wei Ying was running his finger along the edge of the sword. 

“This metal isn’t going to work alone. I need something else to bind the energy to it. It’s too volatile like this.” Wei Ying murmured, frowning as the resentful energy embedded in the sword sparked out at him randomly. 

Lan Zhan settled his hands over Wei Ying’s shoulders. “What do you need?” He asked. “What are you thinking in that beautiful, genius mind of yours?” 

“I wanted to make a flute out of the sword metal as a conduit for resentful energy, something more powerful than Wen Ruohan’s pieces of the Yin Iron. Unfortunately, this metal is just wrong . I don’t know what it is, but it’s wrong.” Wei Ying explained. 

“What do you need specifically, my love?” Lan Zhan asked. 

Wei Ying looked up at him. “I want to go to the Burial Mounds.” 

Lan Zhan studied him for a moment. “Alright. Then that’s what we will do.” 

Wei Ying smiled at him. “Thank you.” He said softly. 

Lan Zhan frowned in confusion. 

Wei Ying raised his hand up to caress Lan Zhan’s cheek. “Thank you for trusting me.” He said. 

Lan Zhan leaned his forehead against Wei Ying’s. “I trust you with everything that I have. If you wanted to burn down the world, I’d bring you the torch.” 

Wei Ying’s breath vanished from his lungs at the admission. 

He’d never been loved like that before, unconditionally and unequivocally. 

As they washed the blood and grime from each other's bodies in the river, Wei Ying took a moment to just be in Lan Zhan's presence. 

He closed his eyes and let the feeling of Lan Zhan's hands on his skin soothe away the ache of a life lived and lost to a world that didn't spare him a second thought. 

He let Lan Zhan's gentle humming settle his mind away from the past, giving him something new, something better, to focus on. 

He let out a breath and leaned into Lan Zhan's steady hold. 

"I love you, Lan Zhan." He murmured quietly. 

"I love you, Wei Ying." Lan Zhan replied, pressing a soft kiss into his shoulder. 

Chapter Text

Chapter 22

Back to the Burial Mounds

Wei Ying and Lan Zhan made good time returning to the Burial Mounds. 

With neither of them having to hide anymore, they were able to push themselves into a far faster pace than their prior trip. 

They reached the Burial Mounds in less than two days, bypassing the town completely to avoid suspicion. 

Lan Zhan felt the pull again, the feeling of needing to enter the Burial Mounds for something that he couldn’t name.

When they made it to the bottom of the mountain, Wei Ying took a deep breath and stretched out his hand, letting the energy from his red core flow into his hand. The dense, dark wall of resentful energy parted immediately upon contact with the red energy. 

Wei Ying looked at Lan Zhan with a raised eyebrow. Well, wasn't that interesting? 

Lan Zhan felt the pull ease away as Wei Ying grabbed his hand. 

Lan Zhan followed Wei Ying up the winding path towards the top of the mountain. 

Lan Zhan wasn’t sure if Wei Ying had a specific location in mind or if he was just following his instincts, but either way, Lan Zhan trusted Wei Ying to get them where they needed to go.” 

Finally, after what felt like hours of walking up the mountain, Wei Ying stopped and closed his eyes. 

He didn’t let go of Lan Zhan’s hand. 

“I know you’re here. After all this time, I still recognize your call.” Wei Ying whispered. 

Two spirits floated up out of the ground. They were faceless, a haunting image of a body with no distinguishable characteristics. 

Lan Zhan watched them carefully. 

Wei Ying seemed to recognize them, but Lan Zhan would not let his guard down. 

“You returned.” The two spirits said, their voices a chorus for many more individual tones.

Wei Ying hummed. 

“You’re different now…” The voice said as the two spirits tilted their heads to “look” at Wei Ying. 

“But you are the same.” Wei Ying replied. 

The spirits hummed. “In some ways, yes.” They replied. “Our power is weaker now. There are fewer voices. There is less energy coursing through this mountain. I know not why or how, but we are less than before.” 

“Do you wish to help me again?” Wei Ying asked. 

“Will you give us our freedom like before? Will you take away the pain and let us rest?” They asked. 

Wei Ying nodded. “Of course.” He replied. 

“Then our power is yours, Patriarch.” They said. 

Wei Ying reached forward, his hand steady as he let the spirits touch him.

Lan Zhan held back the instinctual motion to stop his lover, trusting Wei Ying. 

The spirits turned to look at him. “You do not trust us.” They said, their featureless faces gazing directly at Lan Zhan. 

He shook his head. “I do not. I trust only Wei Ying.” 

The spirits were quiet for several moments. “We prefer this you to the one from before. You understand your heart now.” 

Lan Zhan nodded. “Mn. I do.” 

"You will take care of him this time. You will not let those hypocrites take him from us again." The spirits said, spitting the word hypocrites out as if it had burned to speak it. 

Lan Zhan nodded. "I promise. I'll protect him." 

Wei Ying couldn’t stop the slight smile that stretched across his lips as the spirits perfectly mimicked Lan Zhan's normal "mn". 

There was a moment where everything stilled and then the spirits seemed to melt into the earth. 

Wei Ying watched them go with a soft expression. 

“That was the spirit of the Burial Mounds?” Lan Zhan asked.

“One of them. One form more specifically. Do you feel the energy pulsing through the air, that thrumming just below the surface? The way it surrounds you.” Wei Ying asked. 

Lan Zhan nodded. 

“That is the spirit of the Burial Mounds. It’s the culmination of energy from all of the spirits that were abandoned here without resolution. Over time, the energy gathered together and became of one mind, one purpose. The Burial Mounds isn’t one singular entity.” Wei Ying explained. "It's everything around us, every rock, every leaf, every whisper of a breeze." 

Lan Zhan nodded in understanding. “So when you are offering to help give them rest, you are giving rest to the spirits that make up the Burial Mounds?” 

Wei Ying nodded. “I am able to control resentment because the spirits allow me to. They let me take their pain and anger and morph it into something useful. As that resentful energy is removed, they find peace and they can finally rest.” 

Lan Zhan hummed. When it was explained like that, it suddenly didn’t seem all that heretical. Sure, it wasn’t the natural form of cultivation, but Wei Ying wasn’t pulling the energy from the living and turning into resentful energy through pain and torture. If they could explain that to the rest of the cultivation world, then Wei Ying would not be labeled a demonic destroyer of peace or whatever bullshit misnomer they’d given him.

Wei Ying led Lan Zhan through the Burial Mounds, searching for something that only Wei Ying understood. 

Lan Zhan stayed close to his lover, letting him lead while he guarded Wei Ying's back. 

While he more than trusted Wei Ying’s abilities, he would not allow his lover to be hurt because of his inattention. 

Finally, Wei Ying stopped in front of a small patch of bamboo, looking at it carefully. 

It was pitch black, the color as dark as the midnight sky. 

Wei Ying took the sword from the cave off of his hip and used it to cut a length of the bamboo off. Using the blade, he started stripping pieces off of the bamboo.

Once he was satisfied with the length and width of the piece, he pulled out a small blade from his boot that Lan Zhan definitely did not realize that he carried. He wondered what other surprises Wei Ying would reveal to him now that they were no longer hiding from one another. 

Wei Ying used the smaller blade to create little holes and shape the bamboo into the shape he wanted. 

After a while, he nodded and grabbed the sword from the cave again. 

He laid the newly formed dizi beside it, making sure that they were pressed together. 

He sat down and crossed his legs. He folded his hands together and drew his energy into himself. 

Lan Zhan sat down in front of him and watched closely as red lightly pulsed from Wei Ying’s hands into the sword and bamboo dizi. 

Lan Zhan stared in fascination as the sword seemed to melt before his eyes, rising into the air and shifting in shape rapidly. 

Wei Ying seemed calm as he manipulated the energy in front of him, not at all concerned with the way he was performing unprecedented cultivation techniques with no guide or help. 

The melted sword lowered towards the dizi, shifting and coating the bamboo. 

It moved as if it had conscious thought, pulsing with life. 

The bamboo raised off of the ground, twisting slowly in front of Wei Ying. 

Lan Zhan jolted slightly when Wei Ying’s hand shot out and grabbed hold of the bamboo dizi. 

There was a moment when everything stilled, the energy stilling over the bamboo, before a harsh scream shattered the silence. 

Wei Ying didn’t move, his head bowed, his eyes closed, and his hand still gripping the dizi tightly. 

Wei Ying lifted his other hand, the golden energy of his core gathering in his hand. He pushed the black and red energy, his brow pinched as the energies clashed violently. 

After several long, tense minutes, the energy fused with the black bamboo. 

Just as quickly as the scream came, it disappeared and there was silence. 

Wei Ying let out a slow, even breath and his eyes drifted open.

He blinked several times, shaking his head as if to break free of whatever had held him in his trance. 

He looked at the dizi in his hand and then up at Lan Zhan with a proud smile. 

Lan Zhan stared at the dizi.

It was beautiful. 

He met Wei Ying’s gaze and smiled proudly at him. “You never cease to amaze me, Wei Ying.” 

“Hopefully in good ways?” Wei Ying asked. 

“In amazing and devastatingly beautiful ways, my love.” He replied, pulling Wei Ying towards him. 

Wei Ying went willingly, pliant in Lan Zhan’s hold.

Lan Zhan pressed a soft kiss to Wei Ying’s lips.

When he pulled away, he reached into his sleeve and pulled a small box out. 

He handed it to Wei Ying. 

Wei Ying looked at him in confusion. “What’s this?” He asked. 

“A present.” Lan Zhan replied. 

Wei Ying chuckled and nodded as he opened the box. 

Inside was a beautiful tassel charm made of obsidian and soft, blue silk strands. The charm at the top was the same charm that Lan Zhan had embroidered in the middle of his ribbon, the obsidian swirling to create the soft edges of a cloud. 

He looked up at Lan Zhan with wide eyes. 

Lan Zhan nodded. “I know you were hurt when you put down your clarity bell before we left Gusu. Despite what you may say, you still cared for the Jiangs. You still mourned when you lost them. Whether to death or betrayal - you still lost them. So I hope that I can help erase the hole left behind by giving you something else to carry with you.” 

Wei Ying’s eyes welled up with tears and he nodded, throwing himself at Lan Zhan. 

Lan Zhan let out a breathy laugh as he caught his lover in his arms, falling backwards against the dark ground. 

Wei Ying peppered his face with kisses, hugging him tightly. 

Lan Zhan’s arms tightened around his waist. 

After a moment, Wei Ying sat up and started tying the cloud tassel to his dizi. 

“Do you have a name for your instrument?” He asked. 

“Chenqing.” Wei Ying replied. 

Lan Zhan smiled and nodded. “A fitting name.” 

Wei Ying smirked and nodded. “We’ll save your home this time, Lan Zhan. I promise.” 

Lan Zhan shook his head. “Our home, my love. It is our home.” 

Wei Ying laughed and wrapped himself around Lan Zhan. “Then we shall save our home.”

Lan Zhan smiled and kissed Wei Ying's lips gently. "Mn. Our home." 

I've been putting images that I create on ChatGTP with my descriptions on my other works, so I figured it would be fun to do so here too. This is what pretty close to what I pictured Wei Ying's new dizi to look like - brought to you by a lengthy description and ChatGTP's interpretation of that description. 

Chapter Text

Chapter 23:

Beware, War is Coming

Armed with the new and improved Chenqing, Wei Ying and Lan Zhan made their way out of the Burial Mounds. 

“Where to next? We have some time before we are due back in Cloud Recesses. Perhaps we could slow Wen Ruohan down by collecting a couple more pieces of the Yin Iron?” Wei Ying asked. 

Lan Zhan nodded. “Mn.”

“The other pieces are scattered. We have one - two if we count the sword- which leaves three left. Do you think that Wen Ruohan already has two pieces or do you think he still only has the one from the Dancing Fairy’s heart?”  Wei Ying asked. 

Lan Zhan hummed. “We may be early enough to get the shard from the Lady Florist. I think we should head down the river to Tanzhou first. If the shard is there, we can take it and then check in with my uncle.” 

Wei Ying nodded. “Perhaps we should return with a warning about an incoming attack. I have already been thinking about how to fix your wards and protect your libraries from the fires.” 

Lan Zhan nodded. 

They travelled along the river, staying away from the Yunmeng lands as best as they could until they reached Yunping. Once there, they rested for a day, restocked their food supplies, and then set off toward Tanzhou.

When they arrived, Wei Ying laughed and motioned for Lan Zhan to retrieve the iron. “I’m pretty sure I pissed her off enough in the previous lifetime. You may have much better luck retrieving it without me there.” 

“You think her spirit will recognize you?” Lan Zhan asked. 

Wei Ying shrugged. “Why risk it?” 

Lan Zhan hummed and nodded, walking into the garden. 

Wei Ying busied himself with exploring the area, being careful to keep an eye on the entrance to the garden in case Lan Zhan needed help. 

Barely fifteen minutes passed before Lan Zhan returned. 

Wei Ying made his way over to him with a questioning look. 

Lan Zhan nodded and patted the pouch on his belt holding the piece of the Yin Iron from the cold cave. 

Wei Ying smiled and grabbed onto Lan Zhan’s arm gently. “See? I knew you’d be able to convince her.” 

“Mn. I told the poem...” He said, smirking at his lover, “ correctly of course.” 

Wei Ying stood back and studied the other man. A pout made its way onto his lips. “You’re teasing me.” He said. 

Lan Zhan hummed. “Perhaps I am. Perhaps I enjoy seeing you blush from only a few, soft-spoken words.” He replied softly. 

Wei Ying groaned and let his head rest on Lan Zhan’s chest. “That’s not fair. I was always the one to make your ears redden. Where did all of this confidence come from?” He whined.

Lan Zhan wrapped his arms around Wei Ying’s waist and pulled him closer. “From the moment I returned, I knew that repeating the same mistakes would only lead to losing again. I promised myself that, no matter what else happened, I’d have you in my arms again. If that meant talking about my feelings, then that is what I’d do.” 

Wei Ying giggled at the way Lan Zhan seemed disgusted with the mere idea of talking about his feelings. Some things would not change, no matter how many lifetimes occurred and no matter how many battles they fought. 

The two of them traveled around, gathering intel on the status of the Wen Clan while simultaneously helping out the smaller villages. 

They traveled together, helping to free the villages that had been more or less abandoned by the big clans from the demons and spirits that plagued them. 

They arrived silently, removed the danger, and left without demanding thanks or repayment. 

Word spread, the rumor mill taking the tales of the two cultivators. 

Time passed quickly and, before they knew it, they were due back to Cloud Recesses.

One day before the month ended, Wei Ying and Lan Zhan arrived back at the base of the mountain.  

They sought out Lan Xichen and Lan Qiren as soon as their belongings were safely in the Jingshi. 

The two men greeted them with warm smiles and a hot meal. 

Lan Xichen watched them with a soft look in his eyes as Wei Ying leaned slightly on Lan Zhan, always moving, but much calmer than he’d ever seen him. 

Lan Zhan didn’t use words, but he communicated constantly with Wei Ying. His soft looks, gentle nods, and small nudges were enough to keep Wei Ying entertained but quiet. 

Lan Qiren was also watching the two. The look in his eyes was far warmer and more accepting than the last time Lan Zhan had seen him. It looked like his uncle really was starting to accept Wei Ying’s place in his eyes. 

When they were done eating, Wei Ying pulled a map out of his robes and spread it out over the table. 

They’d marked every Wen encampment and sighting during their travels. 

“We need to prepare for an attack.” Wei Ying said firmly. 

Lan Qiren’s brow furrowed. “An attack?” 

Wei Ying nodded. “Wen Ruohan has one of the pieces of the Yin Iron. We visited a place where there was a rumor of increased spiritual disturbances. When we got there, Lan Zhan used inquiry and found 0ut that the Wen Clan had already beaten us there.  Combine that with the fact that there are multiple camps of Wen soldiers not far from Gusu, I’d say that it’s likely we will be the first attack.” 

None of that was technically true, but no one else would be able to argue it. 

Lan Zhan was nodding along and his word was as good as any truth that the world may ask for. 

And if Wei Ying had added a couple of extra marks to the map to make it seem a bit more dire, then no one needed to know that either. 

Lan Qiren’s jaw clenched. “Lan Zhan?” He asked. 

Lan Zhan looked his uncle in the eyes and nodded once. 

Lan Qiren let out a long sigh and looked at Wei Ying. “What do you propose we do?” He asked. 

Wei Ying stared at him in shock. “Huh?” 

“You obviously have a plan, Wei Wuxian, so tell me what it is.” Lan Qiren said. 

“New wards.” Wei Ying blurted out. 

“New wards?” Lan Xichen asked in confusion. 

Wei Ying nodded. “I found a weak spot the first day that I was here and managed to get into Cloud Recesses. If I could do it just because I wanted to prove a point, imagine what someone with actual malicious intent could do.” He explained. 

“Our ward masters will not be able to create completely new wards in just a few weeks. It took years to create the wards we have now.” Lan Qiren argued. 

Wei Ying shook his head. “We don’t need completely new wards. We can just alter the pre-existing ones.” He said. 

“How?” Lan Xichen asked. 

Wei Ying’s shoulders fell. “I hadn’t gotten that far yet. I have some ideas, but I’d need to be able to study the current ward stones.” He lowered his gaze. “But I know that that’s not something that an outsider is allowed to do… so maybe Lan Zhan could provide me with some notes instead?” He asked, a forced smile on his lips. 

“You are not an outsider, Wei Wuxian.” Lan Xichen said. 

Wei Ying shook his head. “But I’m not family and I know that my reputation precedes me. It’s okay. I don’t take it personally.” The smile on his face was fake and there was a sharp pain in his eyes, but he didn’t falter. 

“Lan Zhan will show you to the ward stones after we finish here. Do not make me regret it.” 

Wei Ying looked at him. “Really?” He asked. 

Lan Qiren motioned to the map. “What else?” He asked. 

“The Wen Clan favors fire. We should prepare for them to use it against us. The valuable books in the library need to be copied or moved somewhere more secure.” Lan Zhan said. 

Lan Qiren nodded. “I’ll ask the scholars to begin.” 

“The dizi and guqin musical selections in the Restricted Section are done.” Lan Zhan said. 

Lan Qiren’s brow furrowed as he looked at his nephew. “Why?” He asked. 

“I was looking for a song to help with settling resentful energies in living beings. Some of the books seemed like they were beginning to fade with the passage of time, so I copied them as I read them. They are in a secure location.” Lan Zhan answered. 

Lan Qiren hummed. “That was probably for the best. Well done.” 

Wei Ying held back his snort. Had anyone other than Lan Zhan copied books from the Restricted Section without permission, it would not have been a congratulatory ‘well done’ coming from Lan Qiren’s lips. 

“I’ll prepare the Elders and begin making a plan of escape if the attack does come to our home. Lan Zhan, take care of your wayward fiance and keep him out of trouble. The other disciples are leaving at the end of the week. Stay hidden until then. We do not need to alert the Wen Clan of our plans and make them eager to speed up their own.” Lan Qiren said firmly. 

The others nodded. 

“I will send word to Nie Mingjue. If they are coming after us, they will be going after the Nie too.” Lan Xichen said softly. 

Lan Zhan nodded. “We will help them if…when- they are in need.” 

Lan Xichen smiled at his brother. “Thank you, brother.” 

Lan Zhan nodded. “Mhmm.” 

Six days later, Lan Qiren let out a sigh of relief as the last of the guest disciples exited the wards at the bottom of the mountain. 

He turned and started walking toward the back hills where he knew that his nephew and Wei Wuxian would be working. 

What he found made his lips twitch up without his permission. 

Wei Ying was laying on his stomach on top of a large blanket, his feet kicking behind him as he doodled on a scroll of parchment. 

Lan Zhan was sitting beside him, talking with him gently as he pet a pair of rabbits in his lap.

Every so often, Lan Zhan would press a piece of food from a small basket nearby to Wei Ying’s lips. Wei Ying would smile up at him brightly as he accepted the food. 

The two little rabbits in Lan Zhan’s laps were asleep and content to let the soft-spoken man pet them gently. 

Lan Qiren had not seen his nephew smile so freely in… well.. ever. 

Perhaps any mischief that Wei Wuxian brought to his life was worth it if that troublemaker could continue making his nephew so genuinely happy.

Lan Qiren allowed them one more moment before clearing his throat. 

Wei Ying looked up immediately and winced. “Whoops.” He whispered, sitting up. 

“Decorum is more than a word, Wangji.” He said reproachfully. 

“Mhm.” Lan Zhan hummed.

“Have you made any progress on your project, Wei Wuxian?” Lan Qiren asked. 

Wei Ying nodded, handing over the parchment he’d been working on. 

Lan Qiren looked it over carefully, studying the wild trains of thought until they randomly changed into something else completely. 

It was like following the path of a butterfly from flower to flower. Only the butterfly understood the path that they took, but the world could watch as it flitted past and study its path after it moved on. 

It was wild and the plans were theoretical at best, but it was genius.

“Wei Wuxian…” Lan Qiren said. 

“I’ve always wanted to do this at Lotus Pier since our wards don’t extend to the water, but I’m not - I wasn’t - allowed to touch the wards. I know it’s not complete and I know half of it is just based on my ideas, but I think that if Lan Zhan or someone else could review them and change what doesn’t work…” Wei Ying was cut off by Lan Qiren’s hand rising. 

“I wasn’t finished. Wei Wuxian, this work is brilliant. You really think that you could do something like this?” He asked. 

Wei Ying nodded with a shrug. “It’s just a ward that works off of intention and temporary invitation. The ones that I put on the water in Lotus Pier worked off of experience and age to stop kids and poor swimmers from drowning. It shouldn’t be that much more difficult to make them only allow those with positive or innocent intentions inside.” 

Lan Qiren looked at his nephew. “Have you looked at this?” 

“Mn.” Lan Zhan hummed. 

“And you believe he’s capable of doing it?” He asked. 

“Mn.” Lan Zhan hummed. 

Lan Qiren handed the scroll back to Wei Wuxian. “Try it on something smaller and, if it works, then I’ll help you implement them into the wards myself.” 

“Really?” He asked. 

“The Lan Clan does not lie.” Lan Qiren responded.

“Oh, right…” Wei Ying said. "Thank you, Grandmaster." 

“Mn.” Lan Qiren hummed. 

Wei Ying laughed. So that's where Lan Zhan had learned that particular quirk. 

Three days later, Wei Wuxian was standing in front of Lan Qiren with a bright smile. They were standing in front of the Jingshi. 

“Alright, think poorly of me and try to walk into the Jingshi.” Wei Ying said. 

Lan Qiren thought about the noise that Wei Ying had made that morning springing around like some sort of animal on top of the roof tops. 

He let the annoyance build up for a few moments before stepping forward. 

He raised an eyebrow as he walked right into the Jingshi. 

Wei Ying tilted his head in confusion. “That shouldn’t have happened. Are you sure you’re thinking bad thoughts?” He asked. 

“I’m thinking about how much you annoyed me this morning with all of your unnecessary racket.” Lan Qiren replied. 

Wei Wuxian chuckled. “No, you need to think about hating me. You need to intend me harm or ill-will.” He said, shooing Lan Qiren out of the room again. 

Lan Qiren tried again, but as he tried to genuinely feel poorly about the young man in front of him, he couldn’t. He couldn’t hate Wei Wuxian, not when he was standing here, fighting for people that he barely knew and bringing joy to his nephew with every loud cheer and bright smile.

“I can’t hate you, Wei Wuxian. I can’t hope for ill-will or harm to come with you.” He said after the sixth time of walking into the Jingshi. 

Wei Ying frowned. “You can. It’s okay. I know how annoying I am and I know that you probably wish that I hadn’t corrupted your nephew, so really, it’s okay.” 

“No, Wei Wuxian, I can’t because I don’t feel any ill-will towards you. You have brought my nephew happiness and joy in a way that I didn’t think was possible anymore. You are here, spending every waking moment trying to protect my people - our people . I cannot feel any ill-will toward you.” Lan Qiren said. 

“I don’t get it.” Wei Ying said softly.

Our.

Our.

Our.

Our.

The word repeated in Wei Ying's mind as he stared at the older man.

As if the Lan Clan was his to claim. 

As if this was actually his home. 

As if he had somewhere he could actually belong. 

As if he was more than a burden, a stray brought home by a member of the family that he would never be truly part of. 

“I can’t hate you, Wei Wuxian. It’s not that I won’t - it’s that I can’t.” Lan Qiren said, seemingly a bit upset about that fact. 

“Oh.” Wei Ying replied. 

“Wei Wuxian, Lan Wangji sent me to give this to you.” Su She’s voice said from behind them.

The two men turned to see the Lan disciple slam into an invisible wall as he made to step into the Jingshi. 

He was thrown from the steps of the small home, onto the gravel path. 

The man let out a loud, pained grunt. 

Wei Ying and Lan Qiren looked at one another. 

Lan Qiren’s jaw set and he stared down at the man crumpled on the ground, the man that had intended harm to either his nephew or his nephew-in-law. “It seems your wards do indeed work, Wei Wuxian.” 

“Well that’s unfortunate because I’m pretty sure that guy is supposed to be one of ours.” Wei Ying commented. 

“Unfortunate for him, indeed.” Lan Qiren growled, his eyes full of fire.

Chapter Text

Chapter 24: 

The Wards 

“Unfortunate for him, indeed.” Lan Qiren growled, his eyes full of fire. 

Wei Ying carefully approached the hurt man and poked him. 

The man just groaned, flopping over. 

Wei Ying noticed the note in the man’s hand, the one he’d claimed was from Lan Zhan, and frowned. 

Lan Zhan knew how to send paper men in this life. Why send - 

Wei Ying wanted to laugh. Lan Zhan, you cunning, petty man.

He grabbed the note out of Su She’s hand and unfolded it. 

I thought you may need a different subject for your trial , so I sent you a rat.

Wei Ying laughed and burned the note with a snap of his fingers. No need for evidence of his future husband's sneaky nature. 

He turned to Lan Qiren. “What should we do with him?” He asked. 

Lan Qiren’s eyes were angry. “Exile him from the mountain.” He replied. “If he cannot be trusted, he will not be allowed to remain.” 

Wei Ying nodded. “We could…” He replied, standing up. 

Lan Qiren narrowed his eyes. “You have a different opinion?” He asked. 

Wei Ying shrugged. “I just think that, if he’s kicked out and leaves the mountain on bad terms, we could be pushing him into the hands of someone that would use his anger and his knowledge of your clan to harm you in the future.” 

“Our clan, Wei Wuxian. You are no longer an outsider.” Lan Zhan quietly corrected as he walked up to the Jingshi. 

He did not spare Su She a glance, ignoring the man crumpled and complaining on the ground as he stepped over him casually. His arm immediately wrapped around Wei Ying’s waist.

Lan Qiren looked unimpressed at the open display of affection, but did not say anything against it. “He is right. This is your clan as well.” 

Wei Ying couldn’t stop the small smile that broke out over his lips as he bowed his head in acknowledgement. 

“What do you need to place the new additions to the wards over all of Cloud Recesses?” Lan Qiren asked. 

“I need some room to work, a jade token, someone of Lan bloodline, and everyone else to not be inside the wards when I set them.” Wei Ying replied. 

“Why must everyone leave the wards?” The older man asked. 

“Because I’m going to erase the jade token exceptions from the wards. It’s too easy to fool the wards if all they rely on is the presence of the token. There is nothing stopping someone from handing it over to an enemy to allow them access.” Wei Ying replied. "I'll have to alter that portion of the ward and then weave it back in to be stronger." 

Lan Qiren’s eyes narrowed. “And how do you know that?” He asked. 

Wei Ying looked at Lan Zhan with an oops look on his face. 

Lan Qiren sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “You stole Lan Zhan’s jade token, didn’t you?” He asked. 

Wei Ying smiled. “Technically, he gave it to me?” 

Lan Qiren looked at his nephew with a raised brow. 

Wangji looked at him with an even gaze, unwavering as he stared back at his uncle. 

“Fine. I’ll come up with an excuse to get everyone off of the mountain. When will you be ready?” He asked. 

“Two days. One day to unravel them, another to set the new ones?” Wei Ying replied, looking at Lan Zhan. 

Lan Zhan nodded in agreement. 

Lan Qiren nodded, flicking his sleeves as he put his hands together. “Then I will have everyone off of the mountain in one day and we will return at sunrise the morning after.” 

Wei Ying nodded. 

He paused as Lan Qiren looked ready to leave. 

“Grandmaster…” He said. 

Lan Qiren turned and looked at him. 

“Thank you for trusting me with this.” Wei Ying said softly. 

Lan Qiren smiled gently. “If I had any doubts about your loyalty to Lan Wangji, I would not. However, I have seen with my own eyes the bond that you two share. I know you would never do anything to harm him. You may crave chaos like the butterflies crave the nectar of their favorite flowers, but you are not an evil man. You do not seek to harm others just because you are capable.” 

Wei Ying was stunned by the confession. “Oh.” 

Lan Qiren hummed and walked away, picking Su She up by the back of the collar. 

He slammed his hand in the back of Su She’s neck, knocking him unconscious. 

With a snap of his fingers, Su She’s body was floating behind him as he walked away from the Jingshi. 

The slow, confident pace of the older man in combination with the knocked out disciple floating behind him was an amusing sight to say the least. 

Wei Ying turned to Lan Zhan with a raised brow. “You sent him on purpose.” 

Lan Zhan hummed. “Mn. Uncle no longer hates you. He is not a good test subject.” 

Wei Ying wrapped his arms around Lan Zhan’s neck, playing with the man’s hair. 

He leaned in and whispered into his ear. “Such a petty man you are, Lan Zhan.” 

Lan Zhan grabbed Wei Ying by the waist and slammed him against the wall of the Jingshi, his arm propped next to Wei Ying’s head as he leaned in closely. "Only for you." 

Wei Ying’s breath escaped his lungs as he looked up through his lashes at his fiancé. "Yeah?" 

Lan Zhan’s free hand tightened on his waist as he leaned down to press his lips onto Wei Ying’s. 

Wei Ying kissed back fervently, whining softly as Lan Zhan bit down on his lip roughly. 

They kissed passionately against the wall of the Jingshi for several long minutes before finally regaining enough self control to pull away from one another. 

“We need to get started on the wards.” Wei Ying whispered, his lips bruised. 

“They can wait.” Lan Zhan growled, connecting their lips again. 

Wei Ying chuckled slightly, letting the other man do as he wished. 

Lan Zhan bent down and picked Wei Ying's legs up so that they could wrap around his waist, pressing his lover against the wall firmly. 

Wei Ying's back arched and his head fell backwards as he whined when Lan Zhan leaned down to bite the juncture of his shoulder and neck roughly. “Ahh, Lan Zhan!” Wei Ying gasped. 

Lan Zhan smirked as he soothed the bite with his tongue. 

He gently released his hold on Wei Ying, setting him on the ground gently and fixing his clothes for him. 

Wei Ying laughed at the proud little smirk on Lan Zhan’s lips. “Do you plan to do this to me every time you see me?” He asked. 

“Mn. Everyday.” Lan Zhan replied. 

“Everyday?” Wei Ying asked, shocked. 

“Mn. Everyday. Wei Ying does not love himself, so I will show him how much I love him everyday.” Lan Zhan replied. 

Wei Ying’s shoulders softened. “I’m not sure I’ll be able to handle you everyday. How about every other day?” He asked. 

Lan Zhan shook his head. “No. Everyday.” He said, turning and walking down the steps of the Jingshi. 

Wei Ying stared after him. “Lan Zhan.” He replied. 

“We should begin.” Lan Zhan called back to him. 

Wei Ying threw his head back and laughed. 

Really laughed. 

Lan Zhan stopped and turned to look at him. 

His eyes softened. 

Wei Ying’s entire body was relaxed. His eyes were shining as he laughed freely. 

The burdens of their previous life were not settled on his shoulders, weighing him down. 

A tear slipped down Lan Zhan’s cheek as he smiled at his lover. He wiped it away gently. 

He’d never cried in happiness before, but as he watched Wei Ying laugh, life radiating from him, he couldn’t help the profound burst of love that rushed through him. The feeling brought tears to his eyes. 

Wei Ying noticed Lan Zhan looked at him and stopped laughing, looking at his fiancé with eyes full of love. 

“Are you okay?” He asked. 

Lan Zhan nodded, holding out his hand for Wei Ying to take. 

“Better than I thought was possible.” Lan Zhan replied. 

Wei Ying smiled brightly at him and nodded. “Me too.”

It took several hours for Wei Ying to pick apart the tangled mess that the Lan wards had become over the centuries that they’d been in place. 

Short additions and exceptions tacked on without meaning or purpose had corrupted the core formation, rendering some areas completely unprotected, just like the hole that Wei Ying had found on his first night. 

By the time Wei Ying had finally untangled everything and figured out what was important and what needed to be altered, it was dark outside. 

Still, he continued working, the various scrolls he’d written out his alterations on lit by the soft glow of lanterns kept alight by Lan Zhan’s power. 

When daylight broke over the horizon and Lan Zhan saw the subtle light signal sent up in the air by his uncle signalling that everyone was off the mountain, Wei Ying carefully began piercing together the alterations, weaving them into the old wards. 

Lan Zhan played his guqin beside him, offering him strength and letting his power flow freely between them. 

Wei Ying’s own power stretched out, greeting Lan Zhan’s like an old friend. 

The three strands of magic, two from Wei Ying’s combined core and one from Lan Zhan’s strong golden core, danced around them as Wei Ying worked. 

His tongue stuck out between his teeth as his brow furrowed and he played with different formations of the wards. 

Lan Zhan loved to watch Wei Ying’s genius mind in action. To watch him weave parts of wards into others, completely free-handed and supported only by his imagination was incredible. 

Lan Zhan had to wonder what kind of brilliant things Wei Ying would’ve accomplished had he not been constantly undermined and stunted by the jealousy of the world. 

Wei Ying worked tirelessly, inedia and Lan Zhan’s power keeping him going far longer than any mortal was capable of withstanding.

Finally, just a couple of hours before sunrise, the wards flashed into place, the power pulsing back at Wei Ying for a moment before settling. 

Wei Ying swayed slightly, his exhaustion catching up to him. 

Lan Zhan was there immediately, holding Wei Ying against his chest. 

Wei Ying let out a deep breath, relaxing into Lan Zhan’s chest. 

“I need to rebuild my strength. That shouldn’t have taken this much out of me.” Wei Ying complained. 

Lan Zhan gently ran his hands up and down Wei Ying’s arms. “You have time.” 

Wei Ying hummed. “What do you think has changed in the timeline?” Wei Ying asked. 

Lan Zhan hummed, looking up at the stars above them. “I think it’s fair to believe that everything will be different from now on. Wen Ruohan won’t have the second piece of yin iron, you won’t be subject to the abuse of those disgusting Jiangs right before an attack by the Wens, and my uncle has already decided to support you. I don’t think anything is going to remain true to the timeline from here on out.” 

Wei Ying nodded. “We should get Nie Huiasang in on some of our plans.” He mused. 

Lan Zhan hummed. “He is useful.” 

Wei Ying laughed. “He’s a friend, not a tool.” 

Lan Zhan hummed again noncommittally. 

Wei Ying turned around in Lan Zhan’s arms to look up at him through his lashes. “Let’s go to bed, Lan Zhan.” 

Lan Zhan smirked and nodded, lifting Wei Ying as he spun up into a standing position. 

Wei Ying squealed, holding tightly to Lan Zhan’s neck as he giggled. 

Lan Zhan and Wei Ying apparently had very different definitions of “go to bed.” 

Lan Zhan took Wei Ying to bed, but he definitely did not allow the poor man to sleep. 

A few hours later, they met Lan Qiren and the rest of the elders at the bottom of the mountain. 

Lan Qiren raised an eyebrow at the large bite mark on Wei Ying’s neck. 

He glanced at Lan Zhan, but the younger cultivator did not react to his inquisition. 

Shameless . He thought to himself. 

“You finished them.” Lan Qiren said as the two men approached. 

Wei Ying nodded. 

“Why in the name of the ancestors have you allowed this outsider to mess with our wards? There is no telling what he has done.” An elder screamed. 

Lan Qiren turned a dark look towards the man. “What did I tell you last night? Be quiet if your words do not hold meaning. You are an elder, not the leader of this clan or the rightful heir. You are here to guide and advise the next generation, not to complain and make demands.” 

Wei Ying’s eyes were wide as he watched the interaction. 

The elder huffed and flicked his sleeves, but fell quiet.

Lan Xichen looked tiredly at his brother. 

He’d been listening to this a lot apparently, if the way he subtly rolled his eyes was anything to go by. 

“How do these new wards work, exactly, Wei Wuxian?” Lan Qiren asked, turning away from the outspoken elder with an annoyed look.  

Wei Ying smiled, holding up Lan Zhan’s jade token. These tokens are now going to be locked into one person’s Golden Core signature. If a person tries to enter with someone else’s jade token, they will be immediately rendered unconscious and locked in an energy cage until someone of the Lan bloodline deals with them.” Wei Ying explained, showing how Lan Zhan had to saturate the jade token in his energy. 

Lan Qiren motioned for the extremely grumpy and confused elders behind him to do the same. 

Wei Ying nodded. 

“Now, the wards are going to read your intentions regardless of your permission as you enter. Should you hold contempt for the Lan family or wish to cause harm to anyone beyond the walls of Cloud Recesses, forced or willingly, you will not be granted entrance. So, say someone was manipulating the Grandmaster into attacking someone inside Cloud Recesses, his intentions, even though they are forced, would be to carry out that mission and would therefore trigger the wards to deny him access.” Wei Ying explained. 

The elders stopped mumbling and stared at the young man. 

“You really created such a ward?” One of them asked, his white beard swaying slightly as he spoke. 

Wei Ying nodded. “You can try it. One of you walk in and the next walk in with the intention of slapping me.” He replied. 

Two elders looked at each other and nodded. 

One took a deep breath, held his token tightly in his hand, and then stepped forward. 

The wards pulsed for a moment and then settled, allowing him entrance. 

The next elder took a moment to stare at Wei Ying, his eyes narrowed. 

“You’ll have to focus on the intention of the act. Really believe that you want to hit him.” Lan Qiren said. 

The elder nodded and stepped forward aggressively, his hand raised. 

The wards pulsed and sent him flying back several feet. 

Wei Ying snapped his fingers. 

The elder’s body paused midair before settling gently back on the ground. 

Everyone turned to stare at Wei Ying. 

He winced. 

Shit. 

That wasn’t a trick he’d shown off before.

Lan Qiren sighed. “We will talk about that later.” He said, stepping through the wards easily. 

“What do we do about guests?” One of the elders asked. He held up his hands. “I mean that politely and curiously!” 

Wei Ying laughed as Lan Qiren’s shoulders dropped slightly as he let go of some of his tension. “I thought temporary tokens would be beneficial. You already send letters out to your guests, why not include small, temporary tokens. They will expire after a certain amount of time and they would be less likely to be lost.” He explained, holding up several small tokens that he’d made from various pieces of jade he’d found. 

“And in the event of an emergency?” Someone asked. 

“Are there any emergencies that you can think of that would involve someone uninvited needing to be granted access? The disciples have their own tokens and the guests should have theirs as well.” Wei Ying replied. 

The crowd of elders mumbled lightly to one another before nodding their heads. His words were true. If there really was that big of an emergency, it would involve someone with permission and positive invitations. 

The Lan disciples quietly walked through the wards as the elders were speaking, only for three of them to be bounced back, unconscious and trapped by a lightning cage. 

Wei Ying hummed. “Hmm. There are more of them than I thought there would be.” 

One of the elders turned a shocked look at Lan Qiren, only to find the man staring at the three disciples, unimpressed. 

Take them and lock them in the cells with Su She until further notice. 

“Su She?” One elder asked. 

Lan Qiren nodded. 

“I have not been upfront with all of the details about why I allowed Wei Wuxian to alter our words. I think it is time we all have a long conversation.” Lan Qiren said. 

Lan Xichen nodded. “Perhaps we should sit down over a cup of tea.” 

The elders, sensing the severity of the man’s tone, nodded. 

Lan Qiren turned to Wangji. “You both should be there.” 

Lan Zhan wrapped his arm around Wei Ying’s waist. “Mn.”

As they turned to walk away, a man that looked far too much like Lan Zhan to not be related, cleared his throat and greeted the young men. 

"Son." The man said. 

"Father." Lan Zhan greeted, slightly tense in the way he bowed his head. 

Wei Ying immediately bowed, greeting the man politely. 

"I hear that you are the young man that has stolen my son's heart." He said. 

"Ye-Yes, sir." Wei Ying replied. 

He'd never had the chance to meet Lan Zhan's father in his other life. 

The man smiled. "Take care of him for me." He said. 

Wei Ying frowned. "Of course." He replied. 

The man smiled, resting a hand on Lan Zhan's shoulders. "Do not allow the world to take from you what you love the most." He said. 

Lan Zhan nodded seriously. "I will not." 

Qingheng-Jun walked away, his pace slow and steady as he wandered towards the direction of his home. 

"He's not staying?" Wei Ying asked. 

Lan Zhan shook his head. "He has not come out of seclusion since my mother was imprisoned. He will mourn her until his energy runs out and he returns to her side." 

Wei Ying sighed. "I'm sorry, Lan Zhan." 

Lan Zhan shook his head. "I used to not understand, but after loving you, I know why he is unable to do anything else but mourn her loss." 

Wei Ying gently grabbed his face, his hands resting over Lan Zhan's cheeks. "But you deserve to have a father. Regardless of his grief, you deserved to have your father. He was not the only one to lose her." He said softly. 

Lan Zhan felt a tear fall down his cheek, wiped away by Wei Ying's gentle thumb. He nodded. 

Wei Ying reached up and hugged him, letting Lan Zhan release the emotions he'd been holding back. 

He stood there with Lan Zhan in his arms for several minutes, quiet as Lan Zhan breathed deeply and collected himself. 

When they pulled away, Lan Zhan pressed a gentle kiss to Wei Ying's lips. "Thank you, my love." 

Wei Ying nodded. "I am always here for you. No matter what, nothing will change that. I'm never leaving you again." 

Lan Zhan smiled and nodded. "Good, because I've learned that my temper fall far more in line with my mother's. If I lose you, I will not be secluding myself away in the mountains to grieve." 

"Oh? What will you be doing instead?" Wei Ying asked with a raised brow. 

"I will be tearing this world apart until there is nothing left. A world without Wei Ying is not a world worth saving." He replied, completely serious as spoke. 

Wei Ying laughed and nodded. "Then let's hope for everyone else's sake that I survive this time." 

Lan Zhan's smile fell. "You will." 

Wei Ying nodded. "With you by my side? Of course I will. Now come on, we have to go tell some old farts that their world is about to go up in flames if we don't act." 

Lan Zhan hummed. "Mn." 

Wei Ying held Lan Zhan's hand and skipped alongside the calmer man as they made their way to the meeting, chattering incessantly as Lan Zhan listened. 

Chapter Text

Chapter 25: 

Let's Begin

Wei Ying leaned into Lan Zhan as he listened to the elders argue. If he closed his eyes, he could almost imagine that he was back in Lotus Pier, listening to Uncle Jiang and Madam Yu scream about his inadequacies and unworthiness. 

He could feel Lan Zhan’s anger building beside him and sighed. 

They were 0.04 seconds away from needing a new set of elders. 

He stood up, clapping his hands together to gather their attention. “I understand that everyone would like to believe that the reputation of your clan is enough to stay the hand of the Wens, but you are wrong. You have two choices, prepare or don’t. If you prepare and nothing comes, your people are safe. If you prepare and something comes, your people are safe. If you do not prepare and something comes, your people die and your clan is left in ruins. Which would you rather have?” 

Murmurs ran through the room as the elders discussed Wei Ying’s words. 

“As Wei Wuxian stated, the reason I allowed him access to the wards was because I do not plan to live in regret of my inaction if he and Lan Zhan’s observations are correct and the Wen are planning to attack. You are all well aware of their engagement. When Wei Ying marries Lan Zhan, he will be a part of this clan, he will be the husband of the second heir. That title alone gives his words weight in this clan.” Lan Qiren said firmly. 

Lan Xichen nodded. “That is, of course, in addition to his standing as one of the best of this generation. Do not allow yourselves to forget that Wei Wuxian is not the heir of any substantial family and, yet, he is highly regarded throughout all of the great clans and the smaller clans for his abilities. Liked or not, appreciated or not, he is respected for his accomplishments. He stood against Wangji and they tied , a feat not many can claim . ” He remarked, staring imploringly at the elders. 

Lan Qiren nodded at his nephew’s words.

“If Wei Ying leaves, I leave with him. If you cannot respect him as he deserves to be respected, then I will take my fiancé and we will leave you to the fate you have chosen.” Lan Zhan said steadily. 

Lan Qiren noticed most of the elders beginning to agree and decided to play his last card. 

“When Wei Ying becomes a Lan, his accomplishments will serve to raise the reputation of the Lan Clan. Why should we not seek to push this young man to reach his full potential under the claim of the Lans rather than let him sit idly and unchallenged like his previous clan? Why allow his talents to go to waste just because you dislike his background?” Lan Qiren asked. 

That definitely caught the elders’ attention. 

There was little more that they liked than prestige and being able to claim the best and brightest of each generation of their own. 

The Jins took pride in their wealth. 

The Wens took pride in their power. 

The Jiangs took pride in their freedom. 

The Nies took pride in their strength. 

The Lans? They took pride in their knowledge. 

To be able to claim not only Lan Wangji, but also Wei Ying? 

To be able to say that their sect was home to two of the best and brightest minds in the entire generation of cultivators? 

Now that was something that the elders could get behind. 

Part of Wei Ying was annoyed by the prospect of being used for his abilities, but the larger and more convincing part of him knew that getting the elders on his side would mean so much less pain for the people he cared about in the future. 

He couldn’t do this alone. 

He’d been there and tried that. 

He’d tried to save the people he cared about by pushing them away. 

He tried to hold all of the responsibilities on his own shoulders. 

It hadn’t worked. 

Everyone he’d loved had suffered. 

So if playing the game this time around kept his people safe, saved the people Lan Zhan he loved from being heartbroken and destroyed by the world, then he’d play it all damn day. 

After several long minutes of murmuring and whispering, the elders finally seemed to come to a consensus. 

“We will not hinder the progress of such a promising young cultivator. As long as he vows to marry into the Lan Clan, then we will not stand in the way.” The oldest elder announced. 

Lan Zhan stood. “Wei Ying will marry into the Lan Clan as long as the Lan Clan remains a clan worthy of him marrying into. His accomplishments will be his own, but if the clan supports him, they will reap the benefits of his gracious character and unbreakable moral standing. What is more righteous, after all, than standing for justice even against one’s own comfort?” 

There was more murmuring. 

Lan Qiren and Lan Xichen looked at each other, appreciating the words of the second heir. 

He’d grown up at some point. 

He no longer blindly obeyed every order and rule laid before him. 

Now, he stood firm in his beliefs and demanded that others respect his words. 

Lan Xichen’s eyes softened as he caught sight of Wei Ying’s hand subtly gripping Lan Zhan’s elbow. 

Perhaps Wei Wuxian was the reason behind Wangji’s growth.

Perhaps all his brother had needed was someone to fight for. 

A memory of dark clothing and strong, callous-riddled hands flashed through his mind. 

He could understand his brother. 

He could understand the desire to protect the one you loved, regardless of what society demanded of them. 

The oldest elder nodded at Lan Zhan. “Your words are true and just. You have never strayed from the righteous path and you remain a pillar of excellence. If you claim that Wei Wuxian is worthy of standing at your side and representing this clan, then we will not stand in your way.” 

Wangji nodded. “Mn.” 

Wei Ying couldn’t stop a small smile from pulling at his lips. He nodded politely to the elders. 

“But please, for the sake of reputation, learn our customs. While you were not raised a Lan, you will be marrying our heir, so being able to represent our laws in the future is of utmost importance.” Another elder said. 

Wei Ying nodded. “Of course.” 

When Wei Ying and Lan Zhan returned to the Jingshi, Wei Ying wrapped his arms around Lan Zhan’s neck with a bright smile. 

“You, sir, are far more cunning than anyone knows. Don’t think I didn’t notice the way you played on their pride to get them to support us.” He said, playing with the hair at the back of Lan Zhan’s neck. 

Lan Zhan rested his forehead against Wei Ying’s. “Mn. I gave them an entire lifetime to prove that they would be the righteous men I thought that they were.” 

Wei Ying’s eyes softened. “How did I never see how much you cared for me? How did I miss this side of you?” He asked, running his finger over Lan Zhan’s jaw. 

“Wei Ying is a genius, but he does not always see what is right in front of him.” Lan Zhan said gently. 

Wei Ying laughed. “That was such a polite way of calling me dumb.” 

“No, not dumb, just… silly.” Lan Zhan replied. 

Wei Ying laughed, pressing his lips against Lan Zhan’s. “The silliest.” 

Wei Ying barely remembered to fling a silencing talisman toward the door as Lan Zhan picked him up and launched him toward his bed.

Preparations for the upcoming attack started without the general public knowing what was going on. 

Books were copied and stored in fire and damage resistant rooms in the underground tunnels that Wei Ying definitely had not known existed. 

The younger disciples didn’t realize that their punishments for misbehavior were serving a second purpose - more than just forcing them to sit quietly and copy texts, they were saving the priceless texts of their clan. 

Wei Ying and Lan Qiren worked together to add wards to each individual building, placing layers of fire and blunt force resistance into the very foundation. 

The elders began communications with the other clans, sending messages to the people they could trust to stand with them and give warning of the potential threat. 

Lan Xichen disappeared to the Impure Realm for several weeks. When he returned, his brother looked at him with a raised brow and a slight smirk. 

Lan Xichen tried not to fidget as he met his brother’s gaze. 

“Hmmm. I like this one more than your last choice of partner.” He said, before turning and walking away with a dramatic flick of his robes. 

Lan Xichen was left staring after him, his mouth gaping and his eyes wide. 

“Brother!” he called, only for Lan Zhan to ignore him. 

Lan Xichen huffed, but as he walked to his own home, he couldn’t help the slight smile that slipped onto his lips. 

Seven weeks. 

It took seven weeks for Lan Zhan and Wei Ying’s claims of an impending attack to come true.