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Chapter Text

It started with a plain piece of paper, calligraphy that was etched into the crown prince’s heart scribbled in an apparent rush.

The sheets still smelt of petrichor and lavender, though rapidly fading. Shaking hands shoved the paper into delicate white robes, Lan Wangji trying desperately to wrap his head around this sudden burst of action his omega consort, his love, took.

He had read the paper over and over, the words blurred together in a dizzying way. He grabbed the edge of the bed he and Wei Wuxian shared only hours prior to emerge from his private quarters of the palace. The guards who stood by his grand doors stood at attendance, his imperial advisor walked forward hastily as to avoid the no running rule the Cloud Recess strictly kept amongst the thousand others.

“Your highness,” the advisor spoke with a deep bow, his forehead nearly to the ground, “it is good to see you are in excellent health after such a long disposition.”

Lan Wangji paid no mind to his advisor, curtly walking around the man and looking into the hallway as if to find Wei Wuxian standing there, playing a game. Surely it was a game, the omega was always trying to dig under his skin.

His advisor stayed deep into the bow, “Your highness?”

Lan Wangji turned then to look at him, expression neatly unreadable, “You may rise.”

And rise he did, turning to look toward his emperor, “Does your highness have any requests for this one?”

The second crown prince regarded him for a moment, turning his golden eyes towards the end of the hall, “Find Wei Ying.”

Imperial guards were alerted of a consort’s missing status upon the prince’s calling, the nation’s Yiling Patriarch had disappeared in the midst of the prince’s recovery from his rut.

-

The summer heat was boiling through the overcast clouds in the Cloud Recess, Wei Wuxian was neatly sat at the log leaning over the fish pond he had so frequently visited as a student many years ago. He gently bobbed a long blade of grass against the surface of the water, watching the ripples sway outward and towards the bank. The fish scattered in alarm, swimming to their safety.

Before, Wei Wuxian would jump into the water. He would get his robes dirty, lunging forward to grab a fish with bare hands which resulted in cuts from the scales. He had long learned how to properly catch a fish without so much as a scratch to the surface of his skin, but the imperial guards standing near would never allow him to dip even a toe into the clear water. Him hovering above the bank was enough for them to step forward.

Now he was a gifted war prize concubine to the second crown prince’s harem. He had a reputation to uphold. He had to pay attention to every action he took. He was an imperial prisoner in all aspects, an imperial prisoner who was allowed nightly into his warden’s quarters. One who was expected to strip his clothes and attend to the second crown prince’s every will. And it didn’t help that he wanted to.

He stretched his chin upward to let a small breeze of relief through the cinnabar collar the palace placed on him, sweat making the damned thing even more uncomfortable than it normally was with summer weather. It was a pretty thing, stretching out to the middle of his shoulders and reached the middle of his neck. Pretty, but sweltering.

His silver eyes glanced over towards the imperial guards who stood under the shade, quickly deciding he was bored.

Suddenly he flung a boot off his foot and quite literally dipped a toe into the water when, “Concubine Wei Wuxian!”

The shuffling of the two guards' feet came surging forward, the hilts of their swords obscuring Wei Wuxian’s trek to actually get into the water. This made the concubine laugh aloud, pulling his foot back.

“Am I not allowed even a toe in the water? Honestly, it is summer and hot,” he whined, “besides there is no one around.”

One of the guards looked uncomfortable at best, averting his gaze from Wei Wuxian’s. He noticed that, the guards hardly ever held eye contact with him. Out of fear of disrespect, or scared of their prince’s temper with his gifted war concubine.

Nonetheless, they refused to budge their swords even a little. Wei Wuxian huffed, blowing a small strand of his bangs out of his eyes.

“Does everyone here seem to forget I murdered thousands of people and reanimated their corpse’s just to make them murder each other again?” he pondered, bringing an index finger to his lips as if to contemplate, “Honestly, am I truly so fragile? Perhaps I should give a demonstration.”

His eyes narrowed in a playful manner, the guards tensed, one even faltered to take a step away before catching himself.

“Wei Ying,” the most honorable second crown prince himself called from on top of the hill behind them.

“Lan Zhan,” Wei Wuxian called, turning around to look at the alpha.

Lan Wangji’s eyes narrowed only slightly, knowing full well of Wei Wuxian’s antics.

Wei Wuxian pouted his lips, glancing at the shy guard one last time before caving in to the second crown prince’s call. He took a few steps towards the end of the hill, “I am presenting my best behavior, your highness,” he reassured with a smile that only meant he was up to no good, “I am simply awaiting my servants return from Qishan and wanted to cool off.”

The corner of Lan Wangji’s lips turned downward momentarily but said nothing of the subject.

Wei Wuxian decided to push further, “Your highness it would truly be more comfortable if I could even dip my feet into the water as it is scorching hot in Gusu today.”

Lan Wangji only had to give guards one look and they pulled back from the bank to make room for Wei Wuxian. This earned another smile, Wei Wuxian gave a bow towards the prince before turning back around and kicking off his other boot. The boot splashed into the water, lost to the currents. The concubine then jumped into the water, robes and all, splashing the guards while he was at it.

When he emerged from the water with sticks in his hair he felt eyes piercing the side of his face. Choosing to ignore that, he swam further out, his robes making it even more difficult. Since being gifted to the prince, he was losing stamina by the day because of his duties, which mostly just entailed he sit still and look pretty, meet with the other concubines upon Noble Consort’s request, eat whatever spiceless food they provide in the palace and serve the second crown prince when called, or visited.

Lan Wangji’s imperial advisor just so happened to be walking at the other end of the pond with two other omega concubines trailing behind fanning themselves. The concubines Wei Wuxian recognized, one gifted from the Ouyang clan, the other from the Yao clan. Each bred to be perfectly mannered and easy on the eyes for royalty alone. And every single one of them held a not so well hidden distaste for Wei Wuxian.

“Concubine Wei Wuxian!” The imperial advisor yelped when water splashed at them. The other two concubines quickly stepped back from the impact but not without a few droplets of water getting onto the ends of their luxurious robes as Wei Wuxian heaved himself onto shore.

He grinned up at them, “This concubine greets you, imperial advisor, concubines,” he nodded towards them, his hair bundled in thick locks of water.

The imperial advisor looked as though he ate too much chili oil, his face red as a beet. He was going to open his mouth to speak before noticing the prince at the other end of the pond and two guards who looked so, so lost. The advisor bowed towards his master, the other concubines following suit.

“Concubine Wei Wuxian, what is this?” He asked instead, his tongue sounding thick with displeasure.

Something Wei Wuxian was used to coming from Lotus Pier, he was often a nuisance to Yu Ziyuan, his adoptive mother. Occasionally getting on her bad side for breathing.

“It was hot,” he simply replied, beginning to ring out his robes.

There was a soft gasp at the end of the road by the gate that allowed guests to enter the Cloud Recess. Wei Wuxian turned his head from the three well sickened faces to see his servant finally reentering the palace’s gate.

“Wen Ning!” Wei Wuxian finally stood up, water dripping heavily from his entire being.

Wen Ning looked nothing short of confused, baffled, and a little embarrassed his master was approaching him while drenched.

“Y-young master,” Wen Ning’s eyes widened the closer he got, still managing to bow even though shocked, “why are you… wet?”

Wei Wuxian looked down at himself momentarily, and back up to meet Wen Ning’s eyes, “Oh, look at that! I am!”

Wen Ning shrugged off a bag he had been carrying to pull free a dry towel, placing it onto his master's shoulders.

Wen Ning was another gift to the palace as his sister Wen Qing was building the Wen Clan’s reputation from the ground up after the gruesome war the Wen’s initiated amongst all the clans, weakening many and slaughtering thousands. Wei Wuxian was a gifted concubine from Yunmeng, and as Wen Ning was a beta, he was made a servant. The Wen’s had few people to spare and with the second crown prince’s approval, he was gifted to Wei Wuxian as Wei Wuxian protected the last of the Wen clan himself at the top of the Burial Mounds in Yiling. It was a comfortable match, Wei Wuxian was loud and boisterous as Wen Ning was shy and meek.

Wei Wuxian took the towel and patted his face dry, smiling at his servant with an expecting look, “How is it out there? Have you any word of Lotus Pier or Qishan?”

“O-of course but I think it would be best if we get you inside to dry off,” Wen Ning suggested, eyes glancing toward the imperial advisor whose gaze bore into the poor servant's soul.

Wei Wuxian didn’t want to cause trouble for his friend, glancing back at the three he greeted on the bank, all of them having yet to move until he looked. They all began to walk again, the concubines idly chatting about whatever it was they had been previously. They both bowed in the prince’s direction with shy smiles well placed on their lips, continuing their way behind the advisor.

Wei Wuxian let out an amused snort from his nose, quickly turning back to Wen Ning. “My jiejie,” he asked, “how are they? Has her child been behaved? Is that stupid peacock ruining him? I know Jiang Cheng will see to it that A-Ling is taught the sword properly.”

Wen Ning looked towards the prince and sheepishly bowed, “Your majesty.” He then gestured towards the path, “Let us return to your residence and I will fill you in,” he said to Wei Wuxian.

Wei Wuxian sighed dramatically, bowing to his alpha. Lan Wangji all the while observed silently from atop the hill finally turned and walked back toward the palace. The guards who still looked completely dumbfounded gained their composure and followed the prince, Wei Wuxian knowing full well they were ordered to keep an eye on him. He also knew full well they would warn the rest of the imperial guards of his actions today.

Wen Ning then started to trail behind Wei Wuxian as they headed down the path toward his palace home.

The residence Wei Wuxian took was aside a similar pond, the place made to look like Lotus Pier’s port. The prince had separated him much further than the other concubines who each had their own residence’s on the opposite end of the palace. The place was quiet aside from the splashing of wildlife outside its walls.

It almost drove Wei Wuxian insane with just how quiet it was within the walls. He knew Lan Wangji had to have done it on purpose to make sure Wei Wuxian didn’t cause trouble. The other nine concubines were located much closer to the prince’s residence. And the Noble Consort of course had her own, much grander, residence that sat closest to the second crown prince.

Wei Wuxian began to fiddle with the cinnabar collar locked around his neck once they crossed the threshold and walked towards the bath. Wen Ning was used to his master's discomfort with the accessory. But it was still improper to fiddle with collars on an omega, even if it were the omega themselves, as it wordlessly suggests their discomfort with status.

It was when he was only fifteen that Wei Wuxian started to show signs of being an omega. He was one of the two omega’s of his age during their months in Gusu. A rowdy, misbehaving omega whose naughtiness knew not. The new alpha boys of his class were unaware of how to handle such an attitude other than his brother, Jiang Cheng, who continually scolded him regardless of the looks he received. They were not related by blood, but Wei Wuxian was still his older brother and Jiang Cheng was the only one to treat him the same as he did before being assigned as an omega.

His first collar had been clamped around his throat the moment he returned to Yunmeng after being thrown out for misbehavior and corruption of their second prince, Lan Wangji himself.

The collar was a handcrafted black iron Jiang Yanli commissioned for her adoptive brother upon hearing him gain his status in the clouds of Gusu. Her mother was furious that Jiang Yanli would spend such money on her adoptive brother instead of simply passing down an old collar of her own.

Wei Wuxian had understood why collars were made, but he didn’t have to like them. Though, if it weren’t for his collar he would have been bonded against his will to a rogue alpha Wen at he eighteen. Instead of the alpha being able to tear his flesh and mark him, the collar protected him, allowing him a spare moment to pierce the alpha’s stomach with Suibian and watch his body thud to the ground as all the cultivators trapped in the cave battled their own war against the Wen’s. He would never admit to how satisfying that moment was.

Wen Ning began to fill the tub with hot water, the splashing noise tugging Wei Wuxian from his day dreaming. He shook his head, he had been reminiscing about the past far too often now.

“So tell me,” Wei Wuxian spoke up, making Wen Ning jump a little after the silence had been stretched, “is the world still intact out there?”

Wen Ning smiled, not a full smile but a reassuring and honest smile, “The world is intact.”

Wei Wuxian grinned, shrugging off his wet robes and dipping a foot into the steaming water. He quickly retracted as soon as his toe got scorched, “Aiya!”

Wen Ning’s eyes widened, “Young master, the water is too hot!”

“A second too late dontcha think?” Wei Wuxian complained.

Wen Ning lowered his eyes but gave an offering of a bathrobe hanging from the door. Wei Wuxian took it, wrapping himself into the dry robe and lounging on the luohan chuang in the tub room. Because of course the palace doesn’t spare a moment of discomfort for their Cloud Recess subjects, and provides an entire bed in their bathrooms.

“My zhizi?” Wei Wuxian pressed, his eyes sparkling with anticipation to know about his family outside the palace walls.

Wen Ning continued to prepare the bath, pulling out bath soaps and rags from the cabinets, “Young Jiang Yanli is in excellent health. If you don’t mind me speaking so freely, she looks good as a mother.”

Wei Wuxian’s chest filled with pride, “Of course she does, she’s always been maternal.”

Wen Ning nodded with a small smile, “And young master Jin Ling is a chubby and happy thing. He took the silver rattle you commissioned for him into his mouth immediately. The young one will grow to be well mannered.”

Wei Wuxian’s smile only widened, leaning his head against the pillows propped on the arm rests, “We will see, his father may just corrupt him.”

“Master Jin Zixuan has seemingly grown wiser with a wife and child,” Wen Ning assured.

Wei Wuxian only blew a raspberry in response.

Wen Ning didn’t laugh, but he did shake a little as if to suppress one. He was comfortable with Wei Wuxian, but he was still to act as a servant.

“Then my zhizi is cute and my jiejie is an excellent mother. Has she visited Lotus Pier lately? Are they planning on visiting the palace anytime soon? Is Jiang Cheng still hotheaded?”

Wen Ning shook his head, “It was a fleeting meeting, young master. I was only allowed to give my greetings and move along.”

Wei Wuxian pressed his lips together. He knew Wen Ning was only sent out to grab updates from his sister as she continually tried building the Wen clan up.

“I am deeply sorry I couldn’t get more conversation in,” Wen Ning said with honest dejection upon seeing Wei Wuxian’s smile fall.

“No,” Wei Wuxian waved his hand, “no need to be. How is Wen Qing?”

“Struggling,” Wen Ning admitted softly, “she is trying to bargain with the four major clans. The Wen clan does not own much other than the sins of our past, we are lucky to be allowed to breathe. But because some of us were spared, we still need to survive. She is bargaining for simple things such as food and land, land to plant food in and land to build houses on. She refuses to return towards Nightless City and make from the ruins. She claims that land is no good, it will only bring misfortune.”

Wei Wuxian nodded in agreement, “I would have to agree with her. It would be no better than the Burial Mounds.”

“Luckily with the palace giving some form of support thanks to gifting me, they have enough to survive this coming winter.”

“If you ever need more…” Wei Wuxian started.

“No!” Wen Ning spoke, his eyes wide with the sudden shout that came from him, lowering his voice, “I mean, no thank you, young master,” he bowed deeply, “We are indebted enough to you. We could never ask for more.”

Wei Wuxian nodded, “Good, because I’m poor as they come,” he laughed aloud. “I’m afraid the only thing I could offer is protection and even then… That would be impossible now. Now all I am is a pretty decoration.”

Wen Ning’s eyes saddened but he made no comment, instead he gestured that the bath was ready.

Wei Wuxian swung his long legs from the sofa and into the tub, slipping his entire body under the water

Later in the night there was a soft approach of guards towards his residence. The wood on the fake pier creaked enough for Wei Wuxian’s trained ears to pick up. He was warm and comfortable in his bed, cocooned under the lightest blanket Wen Ning could find inside the bedding closet.

He rolled onto his back and draped an arm over his eyes, listening intently to the whispers coming from down the hallway.

“Young master is currently sleeping,” Wen Ning answered whoever appeared at the front door.

“The second crown prince is requesting the presence of concubine Wei Wuxian.”

Wei Wuxian could not place a face to the voice but assumed it was a guard. He heaved a sigh and sat up on his elbows, his hair cascading down in a mess of locks.

Wen Ning approached moments later, sliding the door to his bedroom open, a lantern held up, “Young master,” he whispered.

“Yeah, yeah I heard,” Wei Wuxian said with a voice heavy of sleep.

Wen Ning nodded and set the lantern down, immediately going to grab a robe suitable for visiting the prince’s quarters this late.

Wei Wuxian put up a hand and stopped him, “No, if he is going to request me at this hour then he is to receive me like so.”

And like so he went, Wei Wuxian slipped on the most casual sandals he could find after arguing with Wen Ning about even bothering to put on shoes. Eventually Wen Ning nearly came to tears and Wei Wuxian caved with a dramatic sigh.

The walk to the palace was colder than he anticipated, the guard leading him paid no mind to the shivers and teeth chattering he emphasized on just to be purposefully dramatic.

When they finally reached the main palace doors, the guard led him towards the prince’s dwelling. Wei Wuxian wasn’t unfamiliar with the path, but the guard had to make an announcement of his arrival.

When they reached the end of the hall, the guard knocked with a light fist, “Your highness, concubine Wei Wuxian has been summoned.”

“You may let him enter alone,” came a voice from behind the door.

Wei Wuxian gave the guard a smirk and shuffled past him, quickly kicking his sandals off outside the door before shutting it behind him.

Lan Wangji turned to look at Wei Wuxian, a small crease of concern formed at his forehead and disappeared nearly as fast, “You did not have to get all dressed up.”

“Oh,” Wei Wuxian fluttered his eyes, “your highness, I would go beyond for you.” He went into a deep bow, “But I’m glad to see you can still be witty.”

Lan Wangji chose to ignore his sarcasm and turned his head to look toward the map of the empire that spread across an entire wall of his room.

Wei Wuxian yawned and stretched his arms out, heading towards the bed and dropping onto it. He tried not to be obvious about rolling himself over the most scented part of the bed, secretly craving his alpha’s scent to be on his skin. Half embarrassed, but he knew to fight his instinct was to cut a major part of himself out.

“So,” Wei Wuxian began, looking down his nose toward Lan Wangji, “what can this concubine do for your highness?”

Wei Wuxian spread his legs only slightly, snaking a hand down to rest above his midsection.

“Wei Ying,” Lan Wangji warned. He didn’t turn to look but the scent wafting from the bed was familiar enough.

“Lan Zhan,” he responded, tilting his head against the pillows.

Lan Wangji finally looked at him, his golden eyes lingering on Wei Wuxian’s hand for a solid second before flicking back up to meet those silver bedroom eyes. His eyes darkened in shade and Wei Wuxian’s heart lurched, an uncomfortable feeling between his legs made him fight the urge to split them apart more, if not to invite the alpha closer, to get the fresh smell of sandalwood scented onto his own body instead of the stale scent that lingered on the sheets he coiled himself in.

“I need your help,” Lan Wangji finally spoke, eyes still on Wei Wuxian.

A small smile, “And I am here to help.”

“Not,” Lan Wangji started, looking over his concubines body, “not with that. There has been uproar amongst common folk. The towns in the north are beginning to get unsettled without the Nie clan’s interventions. There are several corpses arising in the area and clan leader Nie Mingjue is turning a blind eye to help. He has claimed they do not have enough spiritual power to maintain these corpses, they are low on clan members as most had been wiped during the Sunshot campaign.”

Wei Wuxian’s smile fell, he sat up onto his elbows and closed his legs, feeling far too self-conscious now, realizing this was a serious meeting, “Forgive me your highness, but why are you asking me to advise on this? Shouldn’t your concubine from the Nie clan be discussing this with you?”

“You are a war prize, Wei Ying. You are the Yiling Patriarch and the most educated on such subjects out of all the concubines,” Lan Wangji spoke clearly, he gestured towards the map, toward the town he was speaking of.

Wei Wuxian puffed his cheeks and got off the bed, his bare feet padded over towards the map. He placed his elbows against the dresser and leaned forward, back arched.

“None of the smaller clans can help?” Wei Wuxian asked, staring at the location. Not many were around this area but enough could make a one day trip to Qinghe, including the Laoling Qin clan.

“They are of course in consideration but if the Nie clan cannot supply enough cultivators then it is assumed the others would simply deny. It is not their territory to protect,” he simply stated.

A smile played at Wei Wuxian’s lips, “Then send me.”

“No.”

He deflated slightly, “Worth a shot.” Wei Wuxian rolled his head to the side and pursed his lips, “If you can spare your imperial guards within the area and advise them to guide the common folk from the area for at least a few weeks, then maybe your own army could clear it. If these are low level corpses you speak of.”

Lan Wangji’s eyes remained glued to the map, “There has been no report on any fierce corpses.”

“The problem then is what is causing these corpses to arise, and of course where these common folks will stay without their homes,” Wei Wuxian pondered.

Lan Wangji looked at him then, studying the profile of his concubine.

Wei Wuxian met his eyes then, still leaning over the dresser with all manners thrown to the wind. His cinnabar collar gleamed in candle light, making the lower part of his silver eyes shine red.

“Lan Zhan, I promise I would exhibit the best behavior out there if you send me,” he smiled, moving a bare foot to rub against Lan Wangji’s leg.

If he didn’t know Lan Wangji so well he would assume this did nothing to him, but he did know him. He knew the hitch in his breath was caused by Wei Wuxian’s touch, the way his hand twitched and the subtle flick of his golden eyes meant Wei Wuxian had done something.

“I could easily take those corpses out,” Wei Wuxian lowered his voice, “please let me serve you in more ways,” his stood up then and stepped closer to the prince, placing a hand against his chest, the other twirling a strand of Lan Wangji’s hair around his index finger, “It would be so easy.”

Wei Wuxian knew exactly what he was doing, letting his scent roll off of him with the tilt of his neck. Collar or not, submission was submission.

Lan Wangji grabbed his waist then, picking him up as if he weighed nothing and tossed him onto the bed. He pinned his hip down with one hand, the other pinning his hands above his head. Excitement swirled in Wei Wuxian’s belly, his eyes flicking to Lan Wangji’s lips. He leaned up to press on them, only being denied when Lan Wangji bit his lower lip.

Wei Wuxian gasped, Lan Wangji kept his teeth firmly into place. He used the hand pressed against Wei Wuxian’s hip to slide around the thin robes he donned and sneak into his undergarments. Wei Wuxian knew he was slick, feeling how slippery it was when Lan Wangji’s fingers spread him.

A small whine escaped Wei Wuxian’s throat, “Please,” he breathed out, “I could solve it so easily. You know my power, you know how simple it would be. I could turn those corpses into your servants, I could command them to protect that area, I could even have them-,”

He gasped when Lan Wangji pushed three fingers into Wei Wuxian so suddenly, cutting off the ramble he started. Lan Wangji let go of his lip then, instead taking his mouth towards Wei Wuxian’s neck. Wei Wuxian let out a trembled breath, pressing his hips upward. This would not be enough, no, he needed Lan Wangji to actually stop his ramblings, to take him to the full extent.

“What is the use of- aaah,” he squirmed when Lan Wanji licked above his collar, up towards his ear, “keeping me about when I could do so much more? Why keep me locked away like the Jin’s do all their relics? Am I really so special? You flatter me, Lan Zhan.”

He pushed up further, wrapping his legs up and around Lan Wanji’s hips. Lan Wangji’s thumb settled above the spot he knew drove Wei Wuxian into silence, rubbing the area with a calloused thumb.

Wei Wuxian’s breath hitched, but he persisted, “Please, Lan Zhan, let me help, let me press my lips to Chenqing once more, I can destroy the mountain’s beyond and lock every single corpse in the area within, I can-“

He gasped when Lan Wangji bit him on his neck, a low growl made Wei Wuxian’s body freeze, “Enough.”

He pulled his hand from inside Wei Wuxian’s and tore the robes off, suddenly flipping Wei Wuxian onto his stomach.

Wei Wuxian lifted his back end into the air, presenting so easily for his alpha. He felt his slick leaking onto his inner thighs, pushing backward against Lan Wangji’s waist.

Lan Wangji grabbed hold of his omega’s thighs and slid in, a wanton moan emerged from the omega. Wei Wuxian put his face into the sheets, letting himself get fucked against the bed. He felt full, stretched to all extent and so, so warm. His nails dug into the bedsheets and clutched feebly as a way to steady himself against the rocking motion.

Lan Wangji leaned over him and pulled the omega up so his back was flush against his chest, his hand wrapped around the collar while he nuzzled strands of Wei Wuxian’s hair out of the way. His breath was hot against Wei Wuxian’s skin, “Wei Ying.”

Wei Wuxian melted at his own name, turning his head. Their lips lingered close as Lan Wangji continued to slide in and out of him. His breath was sweet, “Lan Zhan,” he breathed out, raising a hand to rest against the prince’s cheek. He leaned his forehead against his, the ribbon wrapped securely felt cool and pure in comparison to their heated bodies.

Wei Wuxian knew his face flushed when he felt Lan Wangji grow inside him, his lower body ached at the stretch. He has taken it before, he should be used to it by now. Lan Wangji leaned into Wei Wuxian’s palm, even going as far to turn his face and kiss the center. Wei Wuxian pressed himself even more against Lan Wangji’s lap, feeling the reward of his knot rising inside him.

In response, Lan Wangji took his hand off the collar and centered it against Wei Wuxian’s chest, his other hand reaching back down between his legs. Lan Wangji played him like his guqin, sending Wei Wuxian over the edge. He leaned his head back against Lan Wangji’s shoulder as white flashed behind his closed eyes, a buzz ringing in his ear as he vaguely regarded Lan Wangji’s voice repeating his name, the inside of him being filled with the molten liquid of Lan Wangji’s seed, the knot setting to keep every bit inside.

“You can be so rough with me, Lan Zhan,” Wei Wuxian panted after recovering from his delight, “not even allowing me to speak my mind.”

Lan Wangji’s hand still settled on his chest, keeping him afloat. He pulled Wei Wuxian completely into his lap then and settled his own back against the headboard of the bed, “Mh.”

Wei Wuxian smirked and took Lan Wangji’s hand, lowering it above his stomach, both their hands flush against his flat belly, “You want me to bare you a child so badly,” he whispered, “yet you still inquire me to help you with civil affairs.”

He felt Lan Wangji’s finger’s clutch on his stomach.

Wei Wuxian wiggled his hips teasingly, and Lan Wangji leaned down to swipe his teeth across the concubine’s shoulder, “No.”

Wei Wuxian sighed and leaned even further back against the prince, “Really,” he whispered, “send me.”

Lan Wangji’s eyes flashed in the candle light, his brows disapproving, “You are not allowed.”

Wei Wuxian was still ripe with spiritual power. Regardless of the close calls he had, his golden core was still intact and he was placed on the Yiling front to protect the land even if it wasn’t Yunmeng. It was a location the Imperial family ordered the Jiang clan to protect, and as ordered they had sent Wei Wuxian. He had risked his life, tainted his golden core with demonic power, and protected their land as ordered by law. Now he wasn’t allowed to even dream of stepping foot on the same soil he shed blood on.

“Why?” He growled, sudden pent anger arising. It has been well over a year since his arrival to the palace. He had missed his jiejie’s first child’s birth, he had yet to see the rebuilt Lotus Pier, his adoptive brother and their arguments, hell, he would even admit to missing Yu Ziyuan’s sharp tongue and hatred towards him. The last he saw of the outside world was of Jiang Yanli’s wedding before being swept away by robes of white and sent into the chambers of some Jin room to be dressed up and pampered to perfection for his old classmates' harem.

“You hardly deny me, so why this?” He turned sharp to look at Lan Wangji, though still connected to the alpha. He felt his face flush with anger, “You and I fought together before this. Before you saw me as something to breed, you may not have liked my methods but there was an ounce of respect you cannot deny,” he bared his teeth, “I made that Wen Cheng eat his own flesh as payment for destroying Lotus Pier, I cleared the path to kill that Wen overlord, it was me. You saw it all, you were front row for it all.”

Lan Wangji narrowed his eyes, “Wei Ying, stop.”

Wei Wuxian did not, “No, you have not allowed me to step foot outside of this palace and I am withering. The other concubines hate me, the palace guards think I am a menace. No one here thinks of me as anything but yours when I was once one of the strongest cultivators of our time! And I am sick of it!”

Lan Wangji grabbed him by his waist and squeezed him, hard, a reminder that they were still tied, that the more he acted up the worse it would get from here. Wei Wuxian yelped and doubled over.

“Do you realize what you look like when you spout such things?” Lan Wangji growled, silencing Wei Wuxian shocked. “Your eyes glow red, your mind alters and I can feel the resentment rage inside of you. Wei Ying, I will not allow you to continue commanding the dead, you will lose yourself and that is not something I can afford.”

Wei Wuxian’s eyes widened, all the anger built up dispersing at Lan Wangji’s words.

“I’m sorry, your highness,” Wei Wuxian whispered, he turned to face the sheets once again. Silence filled the room, only Wei Wuxian’s occasional quivering breath could be heard.

“Don’t-,” Lan Wangji sighed, his grip on Wei Wuxian’s waist lightened, “Do not apologize. I know you are trying your best.”

He lifted a hand and pulled Wei Wuxian’s chin to face him, “I can’t follow you into battle. The only place I can protect you and know you are safe is within these walls.”

Wei Wuxian wanted to argue, he wanted to tell him he didn’t need that protection. He had survived on his own well enough without it. Instead he just met his eyes and nodded. His lower lip was bruised and red, eyes rimmed the same.

Lan Wangji leaned forward and pressed his lips to the omega’s forehead, “I need you safe.”

“At least… at least allow me to accompany you to Lotus Pier the next time you go?” He whispered.

He knew the prince made occasional visits to the major clans as a respect. Clans were expected to send their complaints or requests directly to the palace by foot but once a year the emperor sent his own on a trek around the empire to see exactly what the clans had been practicing. In a way, it was a threat of power and a way of pushing any repeats of the original Wen’s attempt at overthrowing down.

Lan Wangji finally pulled out of Wei Wuxian, laying him down beside him and tucking him into the blankets. He did not scent him, he did not kiss him, he did not touch him any further, “It’s a promise.”

The next morning Wei Wuxian stirred awake he was still within the same bed he’d submitted in. His lower body ached as he swung his legs off, stretching himself out before wincing at the action. I really do need to start stretching before meeting with Lan Zhan, he thought to himself.

He glanced over to the dresser where the previous nights conversation was held, a black silken robe was laid across presumably for him. Lan Wangji did that, gifted him frequently after their sexual encounters.

Wei Wuxian took a deep breath and hugged the pillow Lan Wangji laid on hours ago. It was time to face the other omega’s of the palace. He sighed and tossed the pillow behind himself, trudging over to dress himself. He had no time for his hair, instead shoving it into his usual ponytail and adorning a jade pin to secure the section.

When he reached the door he opened it himself, a guard stood outside but made no eye contact or gesture to even suggest he noticed Wei Wuxian. “At ease,” he rolled his eyes and walked past.

“Young master!”

Wei Wuxian almost jumped out of his skin, “Wen Ning?”

Wen Ning popped out from another room, gesturing Wei Wuxian into the room.

“Have you been waiting here all night?” Wei Wuxian followed the gesture, “That’s a little weird, Wen Ning. Were you lonely?”

Wen Ning blinked, “Just the morning. The second crown prince sent for me earlier so I could prepare you to meet with the other concubines.”

“Ah,” Wei Wuxian shook his head. Lan Wangji knew Wei Wuxian would put in the smallest effort of making himself look presentable.

Wen Ning began to fuss with his hair, having many years practicing on Wen Qing when allowed, he wasn’t that bad at it. Wei Wuxian caved and sat in the vanity chair inside the room, hiking his knees to his chest and wrapping his arms around them.

“Is everything alright, young master?” Wen Ning asked after plucking a pin from his mouth and placed it into Wei Wuxian’s already heavy braided hairstyle.

“Never better,” he smiled.

Wen Ning of course knew this was a lie but did not press further.

At least the walk towards the Concubine Council took less time than it would from his own secluded residence. When they arrived Wen Ning split off from Wei Wuxian. Servants were to wait outside.

As Wei Wuxian walked through the entrance to the Concubine Council, all eyes lingered on him. He respectfully bowed his head to each of them before settling down at his usual, assigned, seat. The room was set up neatly, all nine concubine’s had their own table and cushion, arranged through the large chamber. Only the Noble Consort’s chair laid above their heads. A memory of the archery competition hosted long ago by the Wen’s surfaced to Wei Wuxian’s memories every time he sat in this specific room.

A few of the concubines whispered behind their hands, their glances never as subtly hidden as they think they are. Wei Wuxian simply kneeled at his seat and popped a peanut into his mouth. He glanced the drinkware over, none of them alcohol. Of course, it is prohibited. But a man can dream.

A handmaid appeared at the top of the steps, “Concubines,” she addressed, “I present your Noble Consort Jin.”

The lot of them stood to greet the entrance of their Noble Consort. A woman of younger age with chocolate brown hair walked through the curtains near the table at the top of the stairs. She was adorned in the white peonies that represented the Jin clan, her accessories never lacking and always screaming of her wealth, even without being gifted by the imperial family. Once she reached the table a welcoming was spoken and all were seated just as fast.

Her eyes landed on Wei Wuxian first, offering a small smile she raised a fan to her hide it, “Greetings to my concubines,” she looked around to address everyone.

Out of all the concubines, Noble Consort Jin was the only one to truly bother with Wei Wuxian and understand his antics. The Jiang and Jin clan had a marriage that bonded their family ties around the same time the harem was established, and she knew head on that Wei Wuxian would be the most trouble out of all of them. She was fair, though he still got a handful of her punishments, she would idly chat with him and dote on his health.

“I hope you are all feeling well,” she put her fan down and gestured to the tea in front of her. Servants then rushed forward to pour a cup out at each table almost simultaneously, “I have had my staff make up a fresh batch of jasmine tea gifted to us by our concubine Qin.”

There were murmurs of gratitude directed respectfully towards concubine Qin who politely smiled and bowed to them all, “It is my pleasure. My family has sent this as a kind gesture to show how appreciative we are to you all,” he spoke. Wei Wuxian pretended not to notice how his eyes actively avoided looking in his direction.

Noble Consort Jin smiled and picked up her cup, her eyes gliding across the room, “We do not have much on the agenda today, so this meeting will be short. The only notes I have and would like to address is how we must present for the two crown princes’ notable victory banquet.”

Wei Wuxian forgot about that. They had yet to actually have a banquet for the won battle against the Wen’s, Lan Wangji being a part of this war and his older brother, Lan Xichen, directing the paths they took to reach victory. They were both to be celebrated.

Wei Wuxian tapped his fingers lazily against the table, I wonder if Lan Xichen’s harem would attend as well, he smiled to himself at the thought.

He did find it funny, the crown prince having a harem along with the second crown prince, and yet the emperor himself had dispurst his own after marrying his own consort omega and producing two heirs. Yet the emperor did not show face, no, his brother ran the show. Lan Qiren was loyal, and had never betrayed his brother, but he took the brute end of being the emperor’s voice. Soon enough, Lan Xichen will step in, but until then, they were simply crown princes.

Noble Consort Jin called Wei Wuxian’s name, snapping him back to reality again, “Concubine Wei Wuxian,” she sounded as if she said his name several times prior, “do you have any suggestions?”

“Hm?” Wei Wuxian looked up, a little dazed.

“For the banquet,” she smiled at him, “suggestions on themes, outfits, anything.”

Wei Wuxian blinked, he didn’t think twice before saying, “Rabbits.”

There was laughter that snuck around fans.

“Rabbits?” Noble Consort Jin repeated.

“Yes,” Wei Wuxian disregarded manners and leaned back, “Lan Zh- I mean our honorable second crown prince keeps a meadow of them within the palace. Why not?”

In truth, when they were students Wei Wuxian had collected two bunnies into his arms and deposited them in front of Lan Wangji years ago. It was a joke, a childish joke. But it seemed as though the prince took the joke into raising a whole horde of bunnies similar to the ones Wei Wuxian teased him with.

The concubines all continued to whisper, Wei Wuxian looked across at them but kept his lips sealed. He was quick witted and could easily insult every single one of them but chose not to stoop to this level of attention seeking. His ears picked up a, “As to be expected from the son of a servant. Such a childish response.”

Noble Consort Jin tapped her fan to her lips, “No, no. I like it,” she said, “it is thoughtful and acknowledges our second crown prince’s interests. I will take it into consideration and see how we can fit it into the theme. Thank you, concubine Wei Wuxian.”

The other concubines immediately stopped their whispers and nodded in agreement then. In response he took a sip of the jasmine tea poured minutes ago. He hated to admit it was good.

The rest of the council meeting was chatter and meaningless conversation Wei Wuxian took no interest in. Things about how the other concubine’s families were doing, what gifts they received from their families, how they missed their hometowns but felt so honored to be presented to the palace and admitted into the harem.

He excused himself about an hour in feigning he was tired, seeing as nothing terribly important was to be discussed. Noble Consort Jin allowed his departure with a soft smile and a polite wave of her jeweled hand.

Wei Wuxian left the council room and found Wen Ning and made their way back towards his own abode. He started to remove his earrings and placed them in Wen Ning’s open hands, slightly annoyed with the jingling noise they made when he walked.

Wen Ning wrapped the earrings in a cloth and put them into his pocket carefully, recognizing them as jewels the second crown prince had gifted very early into Wei Wuxian’s arrival to the Cloud Recess, “Was the meeting interesting?”

“Boring,” Wei Wuxian sighed, “it was only about how pretty we should all look for the upcoming banquet. Do you think our families will be allowed to attend?” He perked up at the thought.

Wen Ning looked as though he contemplated this, “Perhaps. It is a celebration of the two princes’ victory. I cannot imagine they wouldn’t invite the heads of each clan along with their families.”

Wei Wuxian’s eyes lit up, “I wonder if I can finally meet Jin Ling.”

Wen Ning looked down, “I do not know if children would be welcome to such an event.”

“No, you’re right. It would be unfitting to have children celebrate the almost annihilation of an entire clan.”

Wen Ning nodded but said nothing more of the subject.

When they returned to the residence he saw a package sitting by the entrance, Wei Wuxian watched Wen Ning lift the package up and read who it was from, “A package from Jiang Yanli.”

Wei Wuxian perked up once again and tried to grab the package from Wen Ning.

“Y-young master! Let me carry it inside and then we can look at it’s contents.”

Wei Wuxian threw his head back, he wasn’t even allowed to open his own damned packages.

Once inside he waited with anticipation for Wen Ning to open the box's contents. When completely opened he found robes and jewels. Normally this was something he would be disappointed in receiving, but since it was his jiejie he couldn’t help but pull it all out in excitement, quickly pressing the robes to his nose to inhale the familiar and comforting scent. Her lotus scent was tainted slightly with peony but he could care less.

Towards the bottom of the box he found a note tied to a sealed jar of chili oil, he read it over and over, her writing neatly spread across the page to update him on her marriage and motherhood. How much she missed him and wished for him to be there throughout her pregnancy. How she hoped the same for him, soon.

Wei Wuxian remembered then, looking at Wen Ning, “How likely am I to convince?”

He asked so suddenly Wen Ning almost spilled the tea he was preparing, “Why do you ask, young master?”

He shrugged, “I just don’t know how fertile I can actually be. I was, after all, summoning awful yin energy throughout my body. Do you think I could still concieve?”

Wen Ning looked him over, “Should I ask my sister to visit?”

Wei Wuxian shook his head, observing his body in a full length mirror, “Heaven’s no, she’ll only scold me for being so reckless and having so many
bruises. Besides, she can’t touch me anyway. The palace would have all of our heads if an alpha examined me.”

“I suppose I could do a reading on you myself…”

Something about that made Wei Wuxian nervous, did he actually want to know?

If he had a child with the second crown prince, he was bound for life here. The small amount of hope he had was for Lan Wangji to disperse the harem after conceiving an heir with any of his other concubines. But there was no sign of that, the only concubine he called for was Wei Wuxian.

It was a prideful thing in one way, but they were both unbonded and young. The prince’s favor could easily shift, Wei Wuxian dismissed it as him being the most familiar to the prince out of the entire harem.

His hands flattened at his stomach as he tried to even imagine himself convincing a child for Lan Wangji, a sour taste rose in his mouth. It wasn’t for the fact that the child would be his, it was more that Wei Wuxian was unfit for this life. He was labeled as the son of a servant, most would call him mad. He wasn’t a mother but a defective cultivator his own adoptive family willingly tossed to the royals as a form of restraint disguised as a gift, to protect the Jiang clan from devastating shame. He knew exactly what would be said if he were to be with child. He could take it, but could his child?

“No,” he finally answered Wen Ning, dropping his hands from his stomach, “I know I’m not pregnant. I was just curious.”

Chapter Text

Light seeped through the curtains inside of Wei Wuxian’s room, one particular thread sat straight across his closed eyes. He switched his position to put his back against the light, clinging to his pillow with a resentful sigh.

The day was to begin.

Wen Ning’s footsteps outside the room were soft, but with the deafening silence of the residence along with his stubborn inability to fall back asleep, Wei Wuxian hyper focused on the noise. He laid there for a long while, taking wild guesses as to what his servant was preparing, how he could possibly have such a will to wake up so early and serve the palace that threatens to hang him should he misstep.

Wei Wuxian took a deep breath, Guess I’m choosing gloomy today.

When Wen Ning’s soft footsteps padded over to his door and a knock so gentle it wouldn’t even wake a war hound, Wei Wuxian sat up, staring at the closed door.

“Young master?” Wen Ning inquired.

He snorted, and replied with a heavy sarcasm and sleepy voice, “I didn’t escape, Wen Ning.”

“Ah,” Wen Ning chriped behind the door, “May I come in to prepare you for your day?”

Wei Wuxian dropped back onto the bed, staring at the ceiling, “You may.”

Wen Ning opened the door slowly, tip-toeing over towards the blinds and giving them a proper tug, light pooled in and Wei Wuxian covered his eyes with an arm draped over.

“Good morning, young master,” Wen Ning began to open his closets that were filled with far too many material things gifted by the palace.

Wei Wuxian did not reply but listened as fabric was shuffled and rifled through.

A soft breeze flowed through the room with the blinds pulled back, a few papers from his writing desk lifted while a paperweight held them down. Admittedly, the air today did feel nice. Maybe it wouldn’t be a bad day.

After Wen Ning wrestled Wei Wuxian into robes, fed him several bao buns and tied up his hair into a less-messier-than-usual ponytail while he talked around his food did Wei Wuxian step outside.

Summer was finally coming to an end, autumn finally making an appearance in the Cloud Recess. The weather was pleasant with puffy clouds to compliment, god rays shone through them, the twinkles of breaking sunlight danced against the earth in front of Wei Wuxian’s residence.

“Concubine Wei Wuxian!” Someone called from the gate.

Wei Wuxian tore his eyes away from a few fish swimming in the pond and looked up with disinterest, “Yes?”

“The royal family is summoning you to the throne room,” The same someone responded with a deep bow.

He was another guard Wei Wuxian did not recognize. The guard flow frequented differently around the palace as to make sure there could be no schemes of harm to the royal family or their inner palace members.

Wei Wuxian only smiled, his canines showing, “Did the royal family explain why?”

“No, esteemed concubine, they simply sent word for your summonings.”

“Ah,” he turned to look toward Wen Ning with his smile in place and then back to the guard who was still deeply in bow, “You may lead the way. It’s best we don’t keep them waiting.”

The wind played with Wei Wuxian’s ponytail as they walked the grounds towards the main palace where the throne room was located. The guard was quiet the entire way, his back was stiff and Wei Wuxian was trying to guess if it was nerves or if he was simply that committed to his job.

He picked up his pace to catch up with the guard and fall into step with him, putting his hands behind his back as he leaned forward to look at the side of the other mans face, “So, when did you start working for the palace?” he smiled that same toothy smile.

A soft noise of protest was heard from directly behind, he knew if he looked back he would find Wen Ning with his hand stretched out as if he wanted to pull his master back and not embarrass them on their way to meet with the family whose lives were quite literally in their hands.

Wei Wuxian ignored it.

The guard cast a side eye towards him and clearly thought better of it afterward because his face turned a shade of red Wei Wuxian didn’t realize existed, “There is no need to talk with this lowly one. In fact, it is encouraged that we do not speak.”

Wei Wuxian tapped a finger against his lips, “I wont tell if you don’t. Maybe in the next four rotations we'll meet again. Wouldn’t it be nice if I knew your name? You clearly know mine, I personally think it’s a little rude that I don’t know yours, or really any of the guards names.”

“The palace restricts us,” the guard replied sharply.

His lower lip jutted out in a pout. He straightened himself up but kept the same pace beside the guard who looked like he was about to be speared through.

“They sure do keep adding rules. When I was a student here there were only one thousand, now look at it!” He made a grand gesture with his hands as if holding a massive book between his palms, “If you drop this rule book it would surely break a foot. Or maybe a toe. At least pop off a nail.”

The guard kept quiet, the only sound of response was his footsteps.

“Young master,” Wen Ning called from behind, “Perhaps we should brush up on court etiquette before we arrive.”

It was of course a decent and softly spoken ploy to get Wei Wuxian to stop bothering the guard and essentially shut up. Wei Wuxian could recite the etiquette of the Cloud Recess from memory already after the amount of copies he was punished to write all those years ago.

“Do you at least have a number I can refer to?” Wei Wuxian continued to badger the poor guard.

“Consort Wei Wuxian, I do not have the clearance to talk to you,” the guard spoke in such a monotone voice.

“Consort?” Wei Wuxian laughed lightly, “You’ve ranked me too high. Besides- wait. What’s that look?”

The guard’s eyes got big at Wei Wuxian’s response, his shoulders shockingly managed to stiffen more.

Wei Wuxian looked the man up and down, realizing he didn’t make a mistake. If he had made a mistake he would have surely corrected it with haste and apologies, made a grand spectacle of throwing himself at his feet and pleading for mercy. Not that it was a common thing to happen to Wei Wuxian, but he had seen how the other harem members treated the palace servants.

Another guard who they had passed by caught up to them with haste, Wen Ning making a noise of surprise when the other man replaced the first guard who was suddenly detained by two others.

Wei Wuxian stopped in his tracks, watching as the guard he had been talking with got dragged away without even crying out for help.

“Where- why did you do that?” Wei Wuxian asked with a lace of shock, walking in a way that wasn’t quite a run but not quite a walk either so he could catch up to the replacement guard.

The new guard did not speak, he didn’t even make a gesture to seem as if he had heard him.

Wei Wuxian fell back into step with Wen Ning who looked like he was about to vomit.

So the guard clearly made a mistake. Was the palace so strict on their rules now that even mistitling their concubines could be considered treason?

Wei Wuxian lifted his eyes to the grand imperial throne room doors. Wen Ning stepped to the side of the hall and bowed to his master. He took a deep breath before the guard opened the door to announce his arrival.

Once the doors swung open with a strained effort put in by the guard did the scent of three strong, royal, alpha’s assault his nose. One of which he knew well, and admittedly craved. His stomach did a flip at the idea of being able to see Lan Wangji again.

“Announcing Consort Wei Wuxian’s arrival to meet with the Imperial family,” The new guard announced.

Wei Wuxian’s breath hitched at his title being skewed once more. But before he could have time to over think it he caught a glimpse of Lan Wangji.

He sat to the left of his shufu who sat on the throne in the middle of the grand room. His practically identical brother Lan Xichen to the right.

Wei Wuxian had been in the royal throne room once before when being admitted to the second crown prince’s harem. It echoed and was cold. The floor was a long marbled white and blue color, the walls adorned in rolling clouds with a few dragons dappled in that had been hand painted. Of course the thrones were extravagant things but still humble in a Lan Clan sort of way. Wei Wuxian stood at the end of a light blue carpet runner that split the room at the center.

Lan Wangji’s eyes did not meet his, instead they stayed focused downward at the table in front of him with an unreadable look. Lan Xichen had a small smile offered as he always did, and Lan Qiren well, he held the opposite look. To be honest, Wei Wuxian doubted the man could express any other look.

Wei Wuxian gathered his britches and walked in, dropping to his knees in a bow, “Your majesties.”

“Wei Wuxian,” Lan Qiren spoke, “Rise.”

He did as told. He met the emperor’s brother’s eyes levelly.

Fuck, this seems serious., Wei Wuxian thought. Why would they summon him?

The silence between Lan Qiren’s demand and Wei Wuxian’s eye contact stretched on for what felt like an eternity when the doors behind Wei Wuxian opened once more, announcing Noble Consort Jin’s arrival.

Oh this just got more complicated.

She walked in with her arms folded in her golden sleeves, sweeping past Wei Wuxian and slightly closer to the throne. Her honey voice greeted the three in front of them as she exercised a bow so meticulously practiced Wei Wuxian held back tears for the poor girl, “This Noble Consort is honored to be called, your majesties.”

Lan Qiren’s eyes got softer, to Wei Wuxian’s surprise, at the image of such disciplined behavior so flawlessly executed.

“Noble Consort Jin,” He spoke once more, “It is a pleasure to have your opinion on this matter. You may rise.”

Oh a pleasure, huh?, Wei Wuxian inwardly sighed, daring not to curve his spine in the slightest.

It was notable that Lan Qiren was not a fan of Wei Wuxian. If his practice of demonic cultivation wasn’t enough; then his youthful rebellion days in the Cloud Recess, and out of it, didn’t help. He couldn’t help but squirm under the man's gaze.

Noble Consort Jin rose to her feet and backed up by two steps to stand beside Wei Wuxian, only then did she bow her head to him, and he to her.

“Your majesty,” Noble Consort Jin directed her voice toward the emperor’s brother, “If I may be so bold as to what you are inquiring of me?”

“How is Wei Wuxian’s behavior amongst the second crown prince’s harem?” He asked.

Wei Wuxian blinked.

“He is an excellent resource with highly decent knowledge of the Lan Clan’s ways. We have had our meetings and I have had to correct him a handful of times on his speech and rash actions; but I have never had any trouble otherwise,” she answered honestly.

Lan Qiren was stroking his goatee as he always did when considering anything.

Noble Consort Jin continued, “I have never heard him complain and has always answered the calls of the second crown prince. His behavior within the palace walls could use work, but since he is not permitted outside the walls, it is something I have admittedly let slide since he is out of the public eye.”

Wei Wuxian tried not to flinch at his imprisonment being so boldly spoken about. The palace refused to give him a token to even explore Caiyi Town like he had in his youth. Being palace property meant he was chained like a dog.

Lan Wangji looked up at him then, their eyes meeting for a split moment. This time Wei Wuxian looked away, back toward the emperor’s right hand man.

“Furthermore he can work on a few lessons such as dinner etiquette and I would assume, as his upbringing is vastly different from the rest of my harem, many other etiquette’s.”

Wei Wuxian took a deep breath. She was right about one thing, he was, is, vastly different from the rest but at least he’s trying.

“Very good,” Lan Qiren spoke afterward, “It is by my decree that Wei Wuxian be taken in under you to be educated on his omega duties.”

Wei Wuxian pressed his lips together. To be fair, he knew what his body wanted but never why it wanted what it did. He hadn’t been taught anything about omega’s until Jiang Yanli did a cram session with him in a single month before he was whisked away to Yiling.

Noble Consort Jin smiled, her jeweled hair blinding as she bowed her head respectfully.

“If he is to be bred and produce an heir then he is to be guided by a praised midwife and taught how to be a mother,” Lan Qiren pressed on.

Wei Wuxian’s breath hitched, “I’m sorry, what?”

Noble Consort Jin looked up, toward Wei Wuxian and whispered, “Be respectful.”

“Oh,” He shook his head as if to shake off what he blabbered, “I’m sorry, what your majesty?”

Lan Qiren’s eyes narrowed when he looked back toward him, “Wei Wuxian, your duty to the throne is this and this alone. You should be honored, your bloodline is wiped and for it to be continued, no less by the royal family, it is a blessing from the heaven’s. You should be thankful.”

Wei Wuxian swallowed thickly, “Thank- Thank you, your majesty,” his eyes flicked from Lan Qiren to Lan Wangji, back to Lan Qiren, “But I must… I must say I am not a… Fertile candidate. Let alone a worthy bloodline to continue. To be frank, your majesty, you don’t even like me. My blood would only ruin your line.”

“You are not my first choice, Wei Wuxian. In fact, you’re not even my seventh. But Wangji’s favor in you is high, and your spiritual power is exceptional. Once you fulfill this duty, we can start the ward’s teachings early and the Lan Clan will sculpt a fine hier.”

Wei Wuxian looked back at Lan Wangji for a lifeline but aside from a slight crease between his brows could one even tell he was listening to this declaration.

“As for your fertility,” Lan Qiren continued, “I have took the time to summon my own Imperial physician to examine you here, today.”

“Here?” Wei Wuxian’s eyes widened and Lan Wangji leaned forward.

“Shufu,” Lan Wangji tried, his voice a little more strained than usual.

At the same time, Noble Consort Jin whispered harshly to Wei Wuxian, “Manners.”

Lan Qiren ignored the attempt, “Here. We cannot be too careful when it comes to these things.”

“I had been examined and polished before my arrival to the Cloud Recess, your majesty.”

A deep breath was taken, “Of course. But it is tradition for an examination to be done on a selected consort in front of the imperial family. There will be a privacy screen, Wei Wuxian, if you are worried about your… Nudeness.”

Wei Wuxian’s eyebrows fell into a look of contemplation. Nevermind, today really is going to be a fucking bad day.

As if on queue, Lan Qiren’s physician walked into the throne room with a suitcase full of whatever doctors carried. The physician set the case onto a table near the side of the room as a maid followed behind with a screen tucked into her arms. She unfolded the screen and bowed toward the imperial family before quickly making her way out of the room.

Wei Wuxian lowered his gaze to the floor, taking a deep steady breath.

“Your majesty,” the physician addressed Lan Qiren alone. He then looked to Wei Wuxian whose eyes glued to the floor.

Noble Consort Jin then boldly stepped to be in front of Wei Wuxian, facing him she took his hand into hers. Wei Wuxian was surrounded by her honey scent, she was trying to soothe him.

“You will be fine,” she spoke in a whisper.

It wasn’t that Wei Wuxian was worried the doctor was about to execute him, no, it was worse than that. He was already shackled to the palace, now his omega instincts would be shoved down his throat and by being forced to have a child he would be emotionally bound into staying.

Of course he would love any child of his own, of course he wanted his bloodline to continue, of course he craved to have a child. He was an omega, assigned against his will, a choice that was also not his. It was never a problem for him, though. He continued his life like he normally would as his brother and sister made sure he would, just with a collar strapped to his neck.

But now, under the dissecting eyes of the Lan Clan, he was just a womb for their prince to seed. It wasn’t out of love but out of duty. Lan Wangji was good to him, they had their history, but the alpha had never even kissed him. They didn’t speak softly under the covers, they never even shared things about their day. Nothing was domestic between them, Lan Wangji had only ever expressed worry about losing his precious war prize if he continued to taint his golden core with the dark arts.

They kept each other at a distance, each having their own reasons.

“Consort Wei Wuxian,” the physician called.

Wei Wuxian looked up, but instead of looking at Noble Consort Jin or the physician, he looked at Lan Wangji.

Lan Wangji met his gaze and bowed his head to him. It was a simple gesture of respect, and something the second crown prince would more than likely be lectured on after this was said and done. He was never to yield first.

Regardless, Wei Wuxian’s eyes reddened and watered when he turned to walk toward the physician.

Once behind the screen did he notice the chair laid out, straps for his feet and hands swinging off the chair and the table holding the physician’s daunting instruments were now spread out. This was a deeper polish than originally done on him, he was about to be restrained and invaded.

“I do apologize, Consort Wei Wuxian. We must be careful for your sake and mine,” the physician gestured to the chair.

He could smell the medicine leaking off this man and it made him feel woozy. It wouldn’t be the first time he had been restrained by a doctor.

The physician pulled out a needle then, announcing to the royal family what he was to do, “I am going to inject a small sedative into Consort Wei Wuxian to relax him. He will then be put into the exam chair and stripped. I must examine his breeding parts and determine just how much of my tonics and injections he will need in order to conceive.”

Wei Wuxian’s skin crawled, he took a step backwards and without realizing Noble Consort Jin had followed behind, he bumped into her. She placed a reassuring hand against his forearm but something told him it was more of a way to keep his feet planted. He was much taller than her, he could easily escape her and he seriously contemplated it for a second.

“When was your last heat?” The physician asked.

The question was directed at Wei Wuxian, whose eyes were still on that damned needle.

“Consort Wei Wuxian had his last heat about two months ago. Unfortunately he was sedated and restrained for the duration,” Noble Consort Jin answered for him.

Distantly he heard a shift from one of the throne room chairs.

The physician nodded, “I see. I had heard from a colleague that this poor omega was sedated then, too.”

Noble Consort Jin nodded understandingly, as if she had ever been restrained for a heat in her life.

“Consort Wei Wuxian,” the physician addressed him again, “it will be a pinch.”

Wei Wuxian followed the beta man's movements with his eyes. He felt tense, and his gut was telling him to flee. He faintly noticed the way Noble Consort Jin’s fingers dug into his arm, a grip he never imagined she would have.

The physician was fast, but Wei Wuxian was faster, he dodged the needle by side stepping to the right. Noble Consort Jin’s grip was let go as she backed away with grace when the doctor stumbled forward and landed the needle on no one.

It was then that two guards stepped forward from their passive positions against the throne room walls and gripped onto Wei Wuxian’s shoulders, shoving him to his knees.

A throne room chair scrapped back against the marble floor but with the screen in the way it was impossible to tell who had gotten up.

Wei Wuxian yelped as he was forced to the ground. The physician came up to him after regaining his balance and poise, jabbing the needle into Wei Wuxian’s neck, right above his collar.

It only took a second before he felt his entire body go limp, Noble Consort Jin walked toward him and took his face into her hands, smoothing his hair back like he was a cat lounging in her lap.

“You will be okay,” she assured him.

Wei Wuxian wanted to bite her damned hands off.

He was lifted against his will and put into the chair. All he could do was stare upward at the throne room ceiling. It was covered in designs, each panel painting to represent every battle the Lan Clan won.

He felt his robes stripped and the shackles placed on his wrists and feet, legs forced to spread open.

The doctor made his comments aloud, an assistant who seemingly appeared from nowhere jotted down every comment made.

Every instrument introduced to his body felt cold and awful, wrong, so so wrong. He couldn’t even grit his teeth from the discomfort or voice his complaints.

All the while, Noble Consort Jin stroked his head and whispered reassurances to him.

By the time the physician was done, he stood up and snapped his gloves off. He stepped around the screen divider.

“Well,” he started, “it would seem Consort Wei Wuxian would have troubles conceiving, but that can be an easy fix.”

Lan Qiren’s voice was muffled behind the screen, “Then you will easily fix that.”

“It will require many injections, every three days. Fertility tonics should be consumed daily and recorded.”

“Then his trusted servant should be in charge of that.”

Wei Wuxian thought of Wen Ning dosing him daily. Lan Qiren knew the servant was close to Wei Wuxian. If Wei Wuxian were to fight Wen Ning, the servant would ultimately be punished.

“As your majesty wishes. I will begin to remedy these items and send an assistant daily for the consort’s doses. For now, I can start the first dose.”

“Will this affect his heats?” Lan Wangji’s voice broke through, clear and crisp.

“It could trigger an early one, or more frequent ones.”

Wei Wuxian squeezed his eyes shut. He felt himself being redressed and unshackled, his body still impossibly limp. His heats were dreaded things, most omega’s experienced discomfort where he only lashed out and sobbed in confinement.

The physician returned to his side and quickly jabbed his arm with what must have been the first dose he told Lan Qiren about.

When calloused hands were suddenly cupping his cheeks he opened his eyes, meeting the second crown prince’s golden gaze.

“Wei Ying,” Lan Wangji whispered to him, his name sounding like an apology.

Wei Wuxian couldn’t pull away even if he wanted to, so he closed his eyes again. The hands cupping his face remained.

“If this is to affect him in any detrimental manner I order the treatments to cease,” Lan Wangji said.

Lan Qiren’s scoff could be heard from across the room.

Finally, Lan Xichen spoke, “Of course, brother. We are not doing this to punish your consort.”

He sounded closer than before.

“Consort Wei Wuxian is full of spiritual energy. He is a fine choice, and any child you two will create would be strong indeed.”

Lan Wangji’s brushed a thumb underneath Wei Wuxian’s still closed eyes.

The smell of eucalyptus brushed against the side of him, the official crown prince was beside them now. Lan Wangji’s hands froze against his cheeks. Wei Wuxian felt the tension between the two alpha’s immediately, his own body wanting to leave the vicinity.

He was unclaimed, even by the second crown prince, but the way Lan Wangji’s body reacted almost made it seem like they were bonded. A low, almost inaudible growl riverted.

“Relax, Wangji, I won't touch him,” Lan Xichen said, the smile on his face could be heard just by listening.

Wei Wuxian felt some sensation come back to his hands, slowly tapping his index finger against the chair he was still obediently, sedately, sitting in.

When he opened his eyes he was greeted by the scene in front of him, Lan Xichen was looking him over like a specimen. Lan Wangji was still standing directly in front of him, watching his brother intently.

“You have suffered greatly,” Lan Xichen looked at Wei Wuxian, “I can tell by the offset of your fingers. Some digits are hardly, but noticeably, set wrong.”

The physician motioned to his assistant to write that down. Something he missed, he looked scared.

“You are certainly a war prize, Consort Wei Wuxian. Wangji is blessed,” he smiled. It didn’t sound wrong, or sarcastic, or slimey. It sounded genuine and sweet.

Wei Wuxian was feeling anything but complemented right now.

“It was not Wangji’s suggestion that you be selected as his consort, but mine. He has always shown an affinity for you, and if something were to befall me, he would take the succession,” Lan Xichen looked him in the eyes.

“May your highness live a healthy and long life, may he prosper,” The palace servants, including Noble Consort Jin spone.

Lan Xichen put up his hand and waved it off.

“You should not be explaining this to him, Xichen,” Lan Qiren said, still sitting far beyond the screen, “it is our request and his duty.”

“I know that, shufu, but once he takes this duty, he will be considered our family. We cannot keep him in the dark once a child is born.”

Wei Wuxian breathed in.

Lan Wangji finally dropped his hands after not being able to gain the omega’s attention. Wei Wuxian’s eyes looking distant and elsewhere.

“Thank you, your highness,” Wei Wuxian mumbled, finally finding the voice to speak and look Lan Xichen in the eye.

Lan Xichen kept the same neutral smile, “You will make the palace proud.”

He must have held the official crown princes’ gaze for too long because Lan Wangji stepped closer to Wei Wuxian.

“I will escort Wei Ying back,” Lan Wangji said.

“Unfortunately we have more matters to attend to, Wangji. Our trusted staff will be responsible for getting this consort back to his residence,” Lan Xichen looked at Noble Consort Jin, “I trust you understand your duties?”

Noble Consort Jin shuffled behind him, assumingly bowing, “Of course your majesties. Consort Wei Wuxian will be well taken care of.”

Lan Wangji’s jaw set.

Two beta guards, the same who had thrown him to the ground earlier, approached to lift him out of the chair. Lan Wangji cut them off and hooked an arm behind Wei Wuxian’s back, another under his knees.

Lan Xichen made a noise of amusement while the rest of the staff suddenly rushed everything they were doing, pulling a wheelchair directly in front of the second crown prince so he didn’t have to walk two measly steps forward with his newly titled consort in arms. Wei Wuxian continued to avoid looking at the alpha even as he was set down gently, adjusted to be made comfortable. Lan Wangji’s hands lingered against his own but inevitably pulled away.

A maid approached behind the chair and began to pull Wei Wuxian out of the throne room. Wei Wuxian’s remaining dignity was left within those walls.

Noble Consort Jin had been quiet the entire way back, the only noise he could hear to determine she followed was the jingling of jewelry. When they got closer to Wei Wuxian’s abode, he could hear her ask for an ear from Wen Ning. Presumably to tell him about Wei Wuxian’s new forced medicine and diet.

Once back to his residence he was left in the wheelchair escorted into the main room, Wen Ning was quietly heating water for a bath. He didn’t ask what happened in the throne room, he just simply made a cup of tea for Wei Wuxian and sat it by him once they got inside.

The cup went cold and untouched.

Wei Wuxian had finally gained feeling back into his legs but when he stood up he felt like a newborn horse, stumbling toward the tub.

Wen Ning wordlessly helped guide him into it and left his young master to it.

In the least I should be allowed a sip of something strong, he thought while sinking into the water, only his eyes and nose peeking out.

He was sore between his legs, he felt small things during the exam but clearly not to its full extent. He resisted putting a hand down there, wanting to soothe his own parts.

Wei Wuxian sighed, bubbles rising from the water.

He contemplated his future. He was to birth a child for the throne, possibly multiple. He could not guarantee any gender let alone an assigned gender. Lan Xichen said he would make the palace proud but it was faux wording, a way to make him feel more comfortable by becoming a breeding servant.

His dreams of marrying and living a domestic life in Yunmeng was shattered the moment he was gifted to the palace. But he still could have been set free, just without marriage.

He chewed his bottom lip, he was never in a good position to begin with.

The water in the tub began to get cold when Wen Ning returned, peeking his eyes in, “Young master?”

Wei Wuxian didn’t realize how much time had passed, he looked to Wen Ning, noting how dark it was outside when his eyes scanned over a window.

“Ah, sorry. I didn’t…”

Wen Ning shook his head, “I just don’t want you to catch a cold.”

Wei Wuxian nodded and got out of the tub, being wrapped up into a bathrobe.

“High highness, the second crown prince, sent you a gift,” Wen Ning said while ringing out Wei Wuxian’s hair.

“Just leave it at the entrance,” Wei Wuxian said.

“I think you would like this gift,” Wen Ning tried again.

That piqued his interest, “Show me.”

He and Wen Ning walked out the bathroom, the gift was set on the table in the center of the main room. Wei Wuxian clutched the front of his robe and knelt down, using his other hand to slide the already opened lid off. Inside were four sealed jugs of emperor’s smile.

He practically gasped and looked around the room like he was nervous someone would find him with this.

“The second crown prince sent this?” Wei Wuxian whisper-hissed pullinh out the bottles and immediately uncorked one, taking a long whiff.

Wen Ning nodded, “Personally.”

His hands faltered and his voice returned to a normal octave, “Personally?”

“He came to the door about half an incense ago. He told me not to disturb you.”

Wei Wuxian’s stomach dropped. The second crown prince didn’t want to see him.

He took a deep breath and ultimately chugged a bottle at an impressive pace. Wen Ning had known Wei Wuxian indulged in liquor but never had seen him do so. His eyes widened.

“Are- do you want something to eat too, young master? I was informed your diet is to be changed but considering the prince is spoiling you so, maybe one last spicy meal before the diet change?”

Wei Wuxian cringed, he forgot about his meal monitoring.

“Please,” he forced a smile.

Chapter Text

Wei Wuxian’s scalp was on fire from being brushed so forcefully. The maids had pushed Wen Ning out of the way the moment they barged into his residence at the ungodly hour. The sun wasn’t even up yet and he was pulled out of bed, thrown into the vanity chair and abused into lipstain and eyeshadow.

Noble Consort Jin had let herself in, she sat behind him with her knees crossed, flipping through a text he couldn’t decipher from where he sat, though he intently watched her through the mirror.

She had been coming to his residence frequently now, taking her new role as his future midwife extremely serious. She had him read texts on pregnancy while he toyed with rice on his chopsticks every morning. In the afternoon when the concubine meetings were not in session she would make him walk with her and lecture him on the past omega empresses and their wards. In the evening it was about etiquette and speech, even going as far to grab him and fix his posture when he slouched over to angrily shove a piece of cabbage into his mouth.

Wei Wuxian was a good student. He only made snide remarks every now and then and properly received beatings on the back of his hands by Noble Consort Jin’s fan. He always retained information no matter how much he messed around.

While every lecture was stored into memory, and posture fixed, the palace was preparing for the notable victory banquet to take place. Noble Consort Jin had her hands full with lecturing him and the rest of the staff.

Today was banquet day. He could tell by the pinch between her brows that the Noble Consort was stressed.

His head lulled back when the maids pulled on a knot at the nape of his neck, “Ow!”

“Careful, we can’t have him at the banquet with a kinked neck,” Noble Consort Jin spoke from her position on the couch, her eyes not even glancing up at what happened.

Wei Wuxian puffed his cheeks out and lifted his legs up on the chair, criss-crossing his ankles. He heard her disapproving noise but she made no effort to speak or get up and scold him so he kept the position.

“Noble Consort Jin,” he kept looking her over in the mirror, “forgive my outwardness but have you given yourself enough time to rest?”

She kept her head downturned toward her book but glanced up at him, meeting his eyes in the mirror, “You don’t need to trouble yourself thinking about such things, consort Wei Wuxian.”

She flipped a page and looked back down at the text.

Well, small talks out I guess.

One of the maids tilted his head upward to smear on more eyeshadow, painting around his eyelids with a deep red.

Wen Ning approached from the kitchen with a tray of tea and small sweets in hand, he set it down in front of Noble Consort Jin who looked up and politely nodded her head as a thanks. Wen Ning nodded back and glanced at Wei Wuxian.

“Oh, young master, that eyeshadow does look good on you,” he said encouragingly.

He wasn’t wrong, Wei Wuxian could barely recognize himself and instead saw a person of elegance and beauty in the mirror when he occasionally glanced at himself. He had been avoiding looking at his own reflection, however.

When the maids finally started styling his hair instead of mercilessly ripping it out he sighed in relief. His neck actually was beginning to get sore.

The maids were quiet workers, impressively fast with aloof energy. He assumed Noble Consort Jin had them serve her as well, of course using the best servants of the palace to her own aid. It was in her position to do so, she was the law around here.

Wei Wuxian yawned, putting a hand up to his mouth to cover it. The same hand got yanked away as another maid barged in and started painting his nails a deep red. He hissed in pain when she started picking away all the dead skin and pushing back cuticles.

He gave up. He sat there and let them dress him up like a doll, he was too tired to cause trouble. Noble Consort Jin’s lips curved at the ends, clearly pleased he was being so compliant today and he feared she figured out his one weakness: mornings.

When all was said and done and the maids were pleased with their handiwork the sun had already risen.

Wen Ning came up to him and laid out an official breakfast, along with his fertility tonic and injection.

Wen Ning had been administering the injections himself with Noble Consort Jin’s presence. His hands were skilled and Wei Wuxian never felt any discomfort.

The problem was it had been over two weeks and Wei Wuxian had yet to see Lan Wangji, let alone bed him, which was rendering the process useless.

The second crown prince had sent favors his way, items Wei Wuxian knew were probably used to coax all of his harem into quiet contentment. The only more shocking one had been the emperor’s smile that Wei Wuxian guzzled down the very same night.

Wei Wuxian wouldn’t admit it out loud but a part of him felt like because this wasn’t Lan Wangji’s choice that he was avoiding the omega. He didn’t want an heir from Wei Wuxian, Lan Xichen had read it all wrong. He wouldn’t think it was groundbreaking news, no one had ever expressed any non-malicious intent towards wanting him.

Lan Wangji saw him as a classmate and field soldier. They had fought in the same campaign, saw each other in the camps set up outside battlegrounds. They got locked in a cave together and killed an absurdly large turtle in order to swim to the surface outside and hobble their own separate ways home. Lan Wangji had barely expressed interest in him when they were younger, in fact he actively avoided him. They were hardly friends, let alone bondmates.

Just because he had been bedded a handful of times before by the prince did not mean it was anything more. It was purely instinct.

Wen Ning administered the injection into his lower abdomen quick as always.

The noise of multiple footsteps came from outside, a knock and a voice, “Consort Wei Wuxian, Noble Consort Jin, we have guided sect disciple Jiang Cheng from the palace for a visit.”

When Wen Ning opened the door, the familiar scent of lotus and mint made it’s way toward Wei Wuxian who stood up so fast he almost knocked over a maid or two.

Noble Consort Jin eyed him.

Jiang Chen entered the house with two beta guards following. He looked toward Noble Consort Jin and gave her a practiced bow before turning to his adopted brother and half heartedly bowing again, “Noble Consort Jin, consort Wei Wuxian.”

Wei Wuxian always hated when people bowed to him but seeing Jiang Cheng do it made him want to vomit the plain food he was served for breakfast.

“Jiang Cheng!” He smirked at his brother, “Look at how formal you’ve gotten since my departure! Looks like you really can teach an old dog new tricks."

The tips of Jiang Cheng’s ears reddened, “You… I’ll show you a dog, alright.”

Wei Wuxian immediately regretted his choice of words, putting up his hands, “No, no, no. That’s okay. I apologize for speaking so freely.”

Jiang Cheng looked like he was struggling not to roll his eyes.

Noble Consort Jin stood up then and brushed a hand against her already smoothed robes, “Well, seeing as you have company I will be on my way. I will send for you at sunset, consort Wei Wuxian. Please do not give the servants any trouble and remember your lessons.”

Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng simultaneously bowed her way as she walked out of the house, her maids falling into step behind her.

Jiang Cheng looked back at Wei Wuxian then, clearly taking in the sight of his brother being completely dolled up.

“I take it the second crown prince has a strong taste for making you look like the dolls jiejie had when she was younger, huh?”

Wei Wuxian snorted, “No. I think this is more Noble Consort Jin’s doing. She is in charge of making me breedable,” he winked.

Jiang Cheng scrunched his nose in disgust, “I heard you got bumped up in rank and ‘chosen’. I half expected to find you… fat.”

He laughed louder than normal, somewhat embarrassingly. Jiang Cheng had always expressed disgust at the idea of Wei Wuxian being pregnant. He knew his adoptive brother was a menace, giving birth to more menaces just sounded like more work for an already tired jiujiu.

“Where is jiejie?” He asked, changing the subject.

“Shes at the palace. Being part of the Jin’s now she is mostly required to stay by her husband's side. She will be at the banquet though,” Jiang Cheng answered. He had started to walk around the residence, taking it in.

Wei Wuxian stayed standing by the chair, he wanted so badly to hug Jiang Cheng and then run to the palace and hug his jiejie even tighter. But with the guards around and being the snitches that they were, he wasn’t permitted to touch Jiang Cheng. He was an alpha of different blood, technically.

Instead he started to bounce on his toes, “I see. Wen Ning had seen you all recently and told me how beautiful little Jin Ling is.”

“He is still at the Golden Carp Tower. Jin Zixuan and jiejie knew he would be causing too much of a distraction. She wanted to bring him for you, though,” he talked distractedly, picking up a book on omega health and knitted his eyebrows.

Wei Wuxian walked up and put his hand on the book, pushing it back down onto the table with an awkward laugh.

“You weren’t kidding,” Jiang Cheng looked at him.

Wei Wuxian rubbed the back of his collar, “Nope!”

“They seriously want an heir. From you?”

“Yep!”

“You’re supposed to come back home though. I thought our family made an arrangement that you weren’t supposed to be… permanent,” he glared.

Wei Wuxian blinked, hopeful, “They did?”

Jiang Cheng sighed, “No. I guess I just hoped they would. You were the strongest defender in Yunmeng and Yiling, I just assumed mom didn’t hate you enough to leave you here forever when we could use you at home once they kicked you out of here… again.”

He felt disappointed then, the small scratch of hope vanished, “Ah.”

“I didn’t mean to get your hopes up,” Jiang Cheng looked over at the vanity, catching sight of the syringe and needle still placed, but used, on the table, “What the fuck is that?”

Wei Wuxian followed his eyes, “Oh, that?”

“Yes, that. Are they injecting you, Wei Wuxian? You wrote in your letters that you were fine. Why are they injecting you? Are you sick?” His voice nearly got shrill, the anger Wei Wuxian had been homesick for making an appearance quicker than expected.

“No, no. It’s-“

“Are they hurting you?” Jiang Cheng demanded.

“Well, they are injecting me. But it’s for fertility and Lan Qiren’s physician himself makes it, it isn’t a random doctor’s medicine,” he played with his sleeves, suddenly feeling uncomfortable under his brother's concern.

“And who's giving you these injections?” The inquiry continued.

Wen Ning spoke up from the entryway he stayed standing in after letting Jiang Cheng in, “Me, sect disciple.”

Jiang Cheng swiveled to look at him, probably forgetting he was even there to begin with, “You're a doctor, aren’t you?”

“Was,” Wen Ning answered softly, “I was trained momentarily by my jiejie but I am not nearly as skilled.”

“But you can tell the difference between poison and a fertility injection, right?”

The guards who were quietly standing aside shifted, Wei Wuxian inwardly sighed knowing his hot headed brother probably just made himself a write up with his big stupid mouth. To suggest the palace would poison Wei Wuxian may as well be treason as a thought alone.

“O-of course,” Wen Ning nodded.

Jiang Cheng pressed his lips together into a tight line, his forehead vein only slightly bulging out with frustration but he did not press any further.

Wei Wuxian took a step back and stretched out his arms, trying to change the subject once again, “How is Lotus Pier?”

“Standing,” Jiang Cheng quipped.

“And Jiang-shushu?”

“Seems reminiscent of missing his star pupil.”

“Madam Yu?”

Jiang Cheng’s eyes narrowed, “Are they hurting you?” He enunciated each word individually.

Okay, maybe asking about Madam Yu was a touch too out of character for him.

“No, Jiang Cheng, no. I promise. I just miss home,” He offered a smile he hoped would pass this scrutinizing test.

Jiang Cheng looked around again, “I can see why. This place is a sad excuse of mimicking Lotus Pier’s architecture.”

Wei Wuxian laughed a little too miserably. He agreed entirely, but it wasn’t like the palace could pick up the entirety of Lotus Pier and plop it onto their grounds. At least they tried.

The next few hours went faster than he cared for, catching up with Jiang Cheng on how his old disciple friends were doing, who had been getting the beatings from Yu Ziyuan now that he’s gone, if he had finally courted an omega. The last makes Jiang Cheng turn red in the face, making him become a babbling mess of denial. Wei Wuxian took it as a possible yes.

The sun wasn’t even down yet when an interrupting knock took them both out of conversation. Wen Ning opened the door, as always.

Another fresh guard stood outside, “I am here to escort consort Wei Wuxian.”

Jiang Cheng made a noise, “The palace doesn’t seem to lack guards, do they?”

Wei Wuxian smiled a little. It was sort of ridiculous how many guards they had sent, two were already keeping watch on Jiang Cheng who had verbally expressed his discomfort with it. “We’re brothers, why the hell would I want to touch you?” he’d scoffed earlier.

“The sun has not set, Noble Consort Jin had confirmed with me I would be escorted then. Why are you so early?” He asked the guard.

The man at the door bowed in his direction when he was addressed, “The second crown prince has requested your presence early, he has arranged a surprise for you in the imperial garden.”

“Surprise?” Jiang Cheng scoffed. “Is it his freedom?”

Wei Wuxian ignored his brother's comment. He got up and headed towards the door. Wen Ning placed a coat around his shoulders.

Lan Wangji had ignored his existence for two weeks now, aside from the gifts he assumed are passed to all the concubines. Curiosity got the better of him.

“I’ll see you at the banquet then?” He turned to ask Jiang Cheng.

His brother nodded and bowed to him, “Don’t take any shit, consort Wei Wuxian.”

He said it jokingly but Wei Wuxian knew his brother. It was his hidden way of saying he’d miss him.

Wei Wuxian didn’t hesitate. If he hesitated he would never step outside the door, so he turned again and walked out without saying a proper goodbye to his brother. His throat felt tight and he knew trying to speak aloud would only make him choke. He had barely made it out of Jiang Cheng’s scrutiny and wasn’t going to risk another outburst.

Along the way to the imperial garden he saw servants scrambling around with last minute decor. The palace had been decorated to the T, flowers only located in Gusu were swirled up every pillar, rolling cloud banners sat high in the air and lanterns were swaying gently in the autumn breeze. The pathway would look gorgeous at night, warm and friendly. He saw no sign of any clan families though which made him curious as to where they were all hidden. He should have asked Jiang Cheng.

He didn’t bother the guard this time, knowing the last time he had wistfully bantered with one they had gotten dragged away and sent to punishment. He still felt guilty about that.

The imperial garden was located behind the palace and close to the meadow where Lan Wangji’s bunnies ran freely. Wei Wuxian had made plenty of visits there in the distant past, never really finding the drive to return since being gifted.

Once they crossed the gate to the garden the guard abandoned him without a word. Wei Wuxian swept his eyes across the grounds but saw nothing that screamed “surprise!”

It was an odd feeling, being alone. He hadn’t had a moment of solus since coming to the palace. A part of him felt like he was breaking a rule, but another part just frankly did not give a damn.

He walked through the pathway, a few bunnies scattered about when his Jiang colored robes swept across the concrete below. In the distance he saw a collection of evergreens that created a wall between the end of the garden and the palace, which if his memory served him right, would push to the meadow.

The garden was swaying with the wind, pleasant earth scents surrounded the area and the soothing noise of running water emitted from the massive fountain in the center with the decoration of an impressive dragon swirling its long body around the spout. He subconsciously dipped a hand into the water and kept his walk toward that evergreen wall.

Once he reached the trees a raven landed above him on a branch closest to the ground. It’s head cocked in a way to look him in the eyes.

Wei Wuxian didn’t have an affinity for ravens in particular but they often showed up when he commanded the dead during the Sunshot Campaign, landing on the corpses long after the battles and picking at the remaining meat. He supposed he did feed the scavenging bird a good amount of times.

“C’mere,” he offered his hand out to the large bird.

The intelligent creature leapt from its perch and landed directly onto his outstretched hand. Wei Wuxian jumped, not expecting the creature to actually come to him.

Its claws fastened around his wrist, walking up towards his shoulder. Wei Wuxian froze as the creature examined him closely.

“Do you know me?” He asked the bird.

Of course he didn’t get a response.

It suddenly jumped down from his shoulders and circled the floor around him, moving in a twitchy way that birds do. It pecked the ground and let out an abundance of loud caws.

Wei Wuxian blinked, “What are you trying to tell me?”

A sudden rush of wings sounded from above him as several more ravens took to perching in the trees, the caws getting unbearably loud.

One swept down and brushed at his side, Wei Wuxian realizing it had been diving to his hip where Chenqing used to sit. He covered his ears and shouted at the birds, “I cannot play for you!”

He felt the beating of their wings cause a chaotic breeze around him, a few even brought their talons down against his back. They were relentlessly diving at him and he had no way of making them stop.

All at once the cawing ceased and the birds all took to the sky. He didn’t know how long he had his ears covered before a soft hand touched his shoulder. He turned around defensively, smacking the hand off his shoulder and stancing his feet firmly to the ground.

“A-Xian?” His jiejie’s eyes were soft, filled with concern.

“Jiejie,” He softly cried out, throwing his arms around her the moment he realized who she was.

He felt her hand grip at the back of his head, shoving his face closer to her shoulder, “Are you okay?”

He nodded into her shoulder, breathing her in as deeply as possible. He had missed her more than anything, his body slumped into hers and she had to make a great effort of keeping them both standing.

With a soft laugh and a pat his back, “Okay, okay. Back up, let me see you properly.”

He sniffled but obediently listened, taking a step back and awkwardly holding his hands at his side.

She reached her hands out to cup his cheeks, “You look so lovely, Xianxian. But thinner, have they not been feeding you well?”

Wei Wuxian smiled and leaned a cheek into her hands, “I eat fine, jiejie, the palace just doesn’t have as good of cooks as you. I will never appreciate their dishes as I do yours.”

She tucked a loose strand of hair back, “You flatter me. I will send my recipes to the cooks and demand they make my Xianxian better food.” She booped his nose with her index finger.

He took her wrists into his hands and pulled back to take in her appearance this time. She was dressed in impressive Jin robes, her hair was half up, bangs framed her heart shaped face with a peony tucked behind both ears. She looked more beautiful than the last time he saw her, which was her wedding. So that’s saying something.

Her belly stuck out a little more than before, a showing sign of being a new mother but it looked good on her. Anything would look good on his jiejie.

“How is life at the Golden Carp Tower? Is that peacock treating you well? I may have to look pretty now but I can still beat his ass,” he said.

Her laugh rang out like music to his ears, “He is treating me very well. A little too overbearing after Jin Ling if I’m honest.”

Then it hit him. He lowered his gaze to her neck, a scar that had healed extremely well claimed her. He didn’t know she had been bonded by the peacock. She wasn’t collared anymore.

“Oh, I was going to tell you,” she said timidly, lifting a hand to brush her fingertips against the healed bond mark.

His stomach clenched, “I didn’t know you two were that serious.”

“A-Xian we are married and have a child together, if that isn’t serious then I don’t know what is,” she chided.

For the first time with his jiejie he was at a loss for words.

“Hey, look at me.”

And he did.

“This wasn’t something I wanted to write to you about,” she soothed. “I want to share everything with you, A-Xian. But writing something like this just didn’t feel right.”

He nodded. It was understandable, time moved on outside of these walls, family events he will miss, Jin Ling growing up without his pestering, jiejie bonding with someone he beat the crap out of before. He had to trust she was making the right decisions without his involvement.

She reached up and wiped a tear from his eyes. He didn’t realize he had started to cry.

“I- I’m sorry,” he muttered.

“No, none of that,” she smiled and took his hands again, leading him back towards the garden’s pathway. “Enough about me. How is A-Xian?”

“Never better,” he smiled.

“Don’t lie to me,” she replied immediately and he knew she had prepared for his answer to be one. He could never fool the only soul who could tell which smiles he faked.

“Mmh,” he dropped the smile. “I’m fine. I am fed three times a day, I go to meetings with the other concubines. Sometimes I go on walks… Oh! Occasionally Wen Ning and I take the row boat out.”

She frowned and Wei Wuxian hated it, “It sounds like you’re a pet…”

His eyes widened before bursting out with laughter, wiping a few joyful tears away. He hadn’t genuinely laughed in so long. This seemed to ease her concern.

“I guess it does, doesn’t it?” He said while wiping away the last of his tears, trying not to ruin his eye makeup.

She only tsk’d, helping him clear his face with her own amused smile, “Well, from what I can tell the second crown prince seems to truly care for you.”

He stopped laughing and blinked, “You talked to him?”

“He arranged for me to come and see you privately, he’s the one who set this up.”

“Ah?” He blinked again, a tad dumbfounded.

“A-Xian you can’t be this blind!” She led him to a bench in front of the fountain he’d passed earlier and sat him down with her, the sun was close to setting but he estimated they still had a good twenty minutes.

“Xianxian can be pretty dense. I’m just a baby,” he teased her as if they were still children.

She reached up and pinched his nose, “Speaking of babies…”

Wei Wuxian tensed.

“I know I shouldn’t listen to rumors but I heard you’ve been promoted,” she said softly once she realized how tense he got. “But I want to hear it from you.”

“It- I am a consort now,” he confirmed.

“And the second crown prince chose you, right?”

“No,” he shook his head.

Her eyes widened again, painted lips parted in question.

“The first crown prince chose me for him,” he clarified. “Lan Zhan seemed… Relectunt. He hasn’t visited me or called on me since.”

She tilted her head, “I think Xianxian is overthinking it.”

He scoffed, “I keep his bed warm. That’s it.”

She sighed and patted his cheek, “That’s not what I see. He expressed concern for you, and sent your only jiejie to talk with you. If he wasn’t paying attention to your desires then how would he know to send me?”

“Probably because you had to get involved in many of my hot headed fights and defend me at my worst before I was tossed here,” he shrugged.

“Maybe he has a hard time expressing his affection. You must be more understanding, look at Jin Zixuan and I-“

Wei Wuxian cut her off with a gag noise and she laughed, lightly smacking his leg.

“I’m serious, A-Xian. And when you do get pregnant…”

He gagged again, this time putting his hands to his throat to pretend he was choking.

“Xianxian really is a baby,” she chided. “A-Cheng and you… Birds of a feather. Hey, A-Xian! Don’t get your robes dirty before the banquet!”

He had fallen to the floor in a dramatic display of playing dead, but at the word ‘bird’ he glanced up, “Jiejie, earlier… Did you see anything strange?”

She grabbed his elbow and tried to pry him off the floor, “Earlier?”

“By the trees, I mean,” he helped her by lifting himself up.

“I only saw you bent down, I didn’t want to startle you so I tapped your shoulder. Why? Was there something going on?” She brushed his robes to get rid of the dust he’d collected while on the floor in a typical motherly type way.

Huh.

“No, I was just examining some tracks.” It wasn’t entirely a lie, there were bird tracks that made the whole situation very real. But if she hadn’t caught sight of it and he rambled to her about it, she would definitely worry.

Thankfully she nodded her head and smoothed a strand of his hair back again.

“The second crown prince also said when you and he are to visit Lotus Pier he would send word to Golden Carp Tower so we can pay a visit at the same time. You can finally meet Jin Ling,” She changed the subject much to his relief. “Jin Zixuan was not happy to hear he would have to oblige to another alpha but I had to remind him this alpha is very different.”

“That sounds about right for that peacock, always feeling insecure about something…”

“Xianxian, be nice,” she pinched his side. “He is the father of my child and my other half now.”

The pinch didn't actually hurt but he still put on a pout. Truthfully, it was easier to talk about Jin Zixuan and his disinterest for the man than to talk about Lan Wangji. He realized he couldn’t escape it forever, but he was certainly going to put it off.

He looked at the sky, seeing how the sun was about to set, “Well, as much as I would love to sit here and talk about that peacock, I have consort duties to attend to.”

His jiejie smiled and stood up first, offering her hand out to him, “Let me have the honor of walking Consort Wei Wuxian to the palace steps, then.”

Wei Wuxian visibly flinched and grabbed at her shoulders before she could bow, “Please never say my full name again. It sounds so wrong.”

But he took her hand, feeling the warmth of her palms radiate into his, spreading up to his arm and around his heart. He had missed her with so much of his being he hadn’t realized how cold he had gotten.

Chapter Text

It was fair to say Wei Wuxian was an adventurous spirit, always wandering around and never leaving any stone unturned. He was an inventor of all sorts of items— and trouble. Weariness and lethargy were unknown to him.

Until now. He suddenly felt the weight of all his duties— or lack there of—crash onto him. The palace doors were wide open in an inviting way, hearing live music playing in the Cloud Recesses felt impossibly wrong and he assumed it was breaking at least fifteen rules.

Guests flitted every which way, each dressed in their best. Wei Wuxian could recognize every clan just based on their wealth and color choices, after all, being raised within the cultivation world’s clutches he was a master at recognizing even the smaller clan’s sigils. Not that he planned to speak with anyone in particular tonight, the thought of pulling out his own tongue and feeding it to one of Lan Wangji’s rabbits sounded more appealing than that.

Wei Wuxian recognized his new title and life was romanticised and dreamed of by many. Thousands of omega’s would give anything to be in his position.

But in a small corner of his restless brain, he knew the people he trained with, fought with, went to school with were speaking of his new life behind closed doors.

He had grown up like ivy, never ceasing to distinguish his light no matter the trials or conditions he had been put through. He grew around it, adapted, adjusted and made himself fit.

He lost his parents at a young age, survived off the scraps of others and suffered bite wounds aplenty from feral village dogs. Even within the comforting walls of the Jiang residence he was consistently challenged to prove his worth and right to Madam Yu. Stabbed, beaten, broken bones, they were all easy things for him.

But listening to the pity chatter whispered behind covered mouths and into gossip craved ears was nearly suffocating. He was used to being the center of attention and taking hateful words about his antics. But he was free then, he wasn’t representing anyone but the clan whose entire motto was to attempt the impossible. Now he felt impossibly stuck, representing a clan he already put shame on countless times while only being a student.

“He was tossed to the emperor’s second son like a bone.”

“Oh, the Jiang Clan really knew how to handle that mess. It was only a matter of time before he got too out of hand.”

“Clearly not even Madam Yu could handle that omega.”

“I heard that he’s been chosen as a consort now. Do you think the Jiang’s paid for that upgrade like they paid to keep others quiet about his tantrums?”

“What a shame, such a pretty face to be wasted on an unruly omega.”

“And to think he invented his own cultivation method, now he’s trapped playing dress up for the crown.”

Wei Wuxian swallowed his bitter pill hard. He kept his head up and walked through the crowd, toward the palace doors.

Jiang Yanli had insisted on walking him but he knew better than to let her. She is married into the Jin clan now, and she should be seen on her husbands- bondmates- arm. Madam Yu would have his head on a pike if he let his jiejie coddle him.

When he got inside the warm air enveloped around him. The clamour of music only grew louder and he supposed that was the direction he should be following. He started walking toward the entertainment hall, which he had never actually seen used. Thinking about it more, he had never seen the Lan’s ever host anything but family banquets concubines were not invited to.

As he walked at a sluggish pace toward the entertainment hall with his head swirling in trepidation, he ran right into a low set table with his shin taking a direct hit. There were a few decorations on the table, and with Wei Wuxian’s luck he managed to make only two expensive looking vases fall and shatter on the ground.

Instinctively he bent over to rub the pain out of his leg with a hiss, then came back to his senses and realized he had shattered two whole vases. Probably more expensive than his entire lifetime has been. In the palace. In front of many esteemed and important families and cultivators whose conversations stopped to look at the cause of ruckus. In the palace.

He let go of his leg and quickly started to collect the shattered porcelain with bare hands, setting the pieces onto the sash of his robes. Another hand joined him and beckoned him away, when he looked up he found two palace maids were already bringing a broom and bin to clean, “Consort Wei Wuxian please do not lower yourself to such duties. We will handle this.”

But with the same luck (that he’s starting to think isn’t actually luck but a curse) the second crown prince emerged from a room connected to the hallway he was frantically picking sharp shards of porcelain from. He cursed under his breath and quickly dumped the shards he collected into the bin the maids had set down and lowered his head to walk as fast as permitted in the Cloud Recess into the opposite direction.

“Wei Ying,” Lan Wangji called him. He was too late.

His knees felt weak hearing his name slip out of that mouth. Or maybe his shin was broken, he did hit it pretty hard.

“Lan Zh- your highness,” Wei Wuxian turned around and smiled, he put himself into a deep bow, his body betraying him with an awful grimace. Stupid shin.

Surprisingly only Lan Wangji’s advisor stood with him, his face was passive while observing Wei Wuxian.

“Are you hurt?” Lan Wangji asked, approaching the omega who managed to get five paces away before being tugged into this awkward encounter.

Wei Wuxian looked up, still bowing, “Ah, no. I just bumped my leg. Thank you for your concern, your highness.”

Lan Wangji offered his hand. Wei Wuxian stared at it a little dumbfounded.

Then he remembered, he is officially Lan Wangji’s consort. There was a new role to play, a new face to put on.

Wei Wuxian took his hand gingerly and stood up, fingers tracing over the other man's palm before linking their fingers. An elated sensation shot through him once he felt the warmth of the alpha’s hand.

Lan Wangji untangled their fingers almost immediately and flipped his palm over to find a gash across his palm. With adrenaline so high, Wei Wuxian didn’t even feel the cut. His heart dropped with any lingering joy.

“Oh,” he breathed, clutching his fingers closed so his blood didn’t leak onto the prince’s sleeve. He pulled his hand back and realized he was already too late, his own blood had stained Lan Wangji’s palm where their hands linked moments ago.

Without thinking, which seems like something happening way too often now, he pulled one of his own sleeves up and wiped the still outstretched hand of Lan Wangji’s.

“Wei Ying,” Lan Wangji sounded offended.

Eyes were on them. He felt the burning glares and heard the soft gasps surrounding them but he was so fixated on his own mistake. No one has ever taught him what to do when you spill your own blood on a prince. He was treating it like a playground accident and shoved the beating of whispered laughs and comments to the back of his mind.

He wanted to walk away more than anything. He needed to crawl into a cave and invent a device that could make his entire existence be forgotten. He used to be so carefree and described as ‘shameless’ by Lan Wangji himself but at this moment he felt like renouncing his birth. He could shame himself all he wanted, but it wasn’t right to bring Lan Wangji down with him.

“I deeply apologize, your highness,” he looked up into those golden eyes.

“Ah, there you are Consort Wei Wuxian.”

He tore his gaze away from muddled gold.

A voice he never thought he would be thankful to hear after these past few weeks of tutoring called. Noble Consort Jin had arrived, in arms with another consort Wei Wuxian assumed was from Lan Xichen’s harem, another Jin.

He had a smile planted on his lips, one that didn’t seem like judgement but soft and compliant that could even rival Lan Xichen’s. He was dressed in softer Jin colors compared to his counterpart. His hair was only slightly darker and he wore no makeup in comparison but still looked more than presentable.

It didn’t take long for them to approach, both bowing toward Lan Wangji, “Honorable second crown prince.”

They synched up and Wei Wuxian couldn’t help but think about how they have trained for this their entire lives.

“Noble Consorts,” Lan Wangji responded from beside him.

Ah, it makes sense Lan Xichen’s harem has a Jin as a Noble Consort too. They really are the law.

The two harem’s never interacted with each other aside from events like this, as the palace had it literally written in stone. Wei Wuxian imagined they didn’t want cat-fights to break out over whose prince was better or the succession of the two. Personally, if Wei Wuxian had a say he was glad he landed in Lan Wangji’s harem. Not just because it meant possibly less duties but because if he had to compare the two by looks, even as the Jade Twins, Lan Wangji was the utmost winner.

Lan Wangji’s face was sculpted by jade itself. His eyes always had a linger of judgement in them but recently when he looked at Wei Wuxian that judgement would disappear into something softer. He thought maybe it was his imagination. Maybe the way Lan Wangji gripped him when they laid in bed together wasn’t the truth, maybe he was shrouded by romanticising his situation in order to get through this lifetime.

But the way Lan Wangji’s hands slid down his belly and rested on him after they would finish their bed-sport had been seared into his brain. His teeth scraping so close to his scent glands around his neck. There wasn’t a part of his body that hasn’t been touched by him. The way he would greedily take him in his royal chambers-

Wei Wuxian had to stop thinking about this. He felt his own scent spike and an uncomfortably wetness forming between his legs. His face flushed red.

To his horror he heard Lan Wangji shift next to him, clearly picking up on his rising arousal.

“Ah, Noble Consort Jin,” he addressed his own and stepped closer to her, “Could you help me with, uh, this?”

He helplessly offered his injured hand out as indication to what ‘this’ was, forgetting how to speak his own tongue.

Her eyes scanned his hand, back up to his wide eyes, “I left you alone for a few hours and look at what a mess you’ve made.”

She gently took his wrist into her grip after letting go of the other Jin and smiled at Lan Wangji, “If you will excuse us.”

Wei Wuxian didn’t want to even glance at the alpha, embarrassment wasn’t even a word he would describe for this burning emotion as it was much too subtle.

“I can escort him to get that bandaged,” Lan Wangji spoke, his voice sending a shiver down Wei Wuxian’s spine.

Noble Consort Jin opened her mouth to respond but was interrupted.

“Your highness, we are already behind schedule,” Lan Wangji’s advisor said after quietly observing this whole time.

Wei Wuxian kept his back to them and Noble Consort Jin waved her hand politely, “I will handle this and get him situated in the banquet right after. I need to redo his hair and find his servant to fetch un-stained robes anyway. Your concern is deeply appreciated. Thank you, your highness.”

“Mn,” Lan Wangji responded.

Wei Wuxian heard the other two step away, the door that released this whole mess closed behind them.

Noble Consort Jin’s hand gripped tighter onto his wrist suddenly and he grit his teeth. She tugged him toward the opposite end of the grand hallway and into a parlor room, setting him on a couch. The other harem’s Noble Consort had followed behind and closed the door.

“Consort Wei Wuxian we have restlessly studied party etiquette together,” she began, “and you managed to break at least seventeen rules of the Lan Clan within five minutes. I didn’t even think that was possible.”

“So this is the little minx Consort Wei Wuxian you’ve been telling me about?” Her counterpart asked.

“Minx?” Wei Wuxian eyed him.

“I assure you, it was used as a compliment,” He smiled and walked towards the vanity on the other side of the room to fix his jewelry in the mirror.

“Gossip is also against the Lan Clan rules,” Wei Wuxian pointed out.

“I don’t have time for your passive aggressive attitude today,” Noble Consort Jin commented as she shoved her hands into the drawers of the vanity, clearly looking for hair supplies. “Where is your servant?”

Wei Wuxian shifted against the couch cushion, “Wen Ning was getting refreshments.”

It was a lie of course. Wei Wuxian hasn’t seen Wen Ning since leaving his residence to meet his jiejie in the imperial garden.

She laughed breathily, and walked over with a brush and a few pins, starting on his hair while his hand was still clenched shut. It was more than likely clotted by now but he didn’t want to risk bleeding on the palace floors again.

He watched the other Jin moving about the room, picking up a tea set and pouring out three cups. He had never seen any of the other harem members but he assumed both Noble Consort’s had meetings with each other, and them both being Jin’s meant they knew each other before entering the harem’s.

“We are going to study palace etiquette until your eyes fall out of your head,” his Noble Consort mumbled to herself while repinning his hair into place.

“Be kind, he’s new to all of this. Consort Wei Wuxian is but a war veteran and previous cultivator, isn’t he?” The man looked up while carrying the tea tray over.

“Previous?” Wei Wuxian narrowed his eyes.

“Well, of course. You can’t expect to be a cultivator and a royal consort, can you? You are a prize meant to sit on the second crown prince’s shelf, not used as a weapon in his army,” the other Jin spoke as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Wei Wuxian huffed, “The second crown prince may use me however he sees fit, battle or shelf.”

“Your spirit is as admirable as they say,” his words almost sounded bored but the soft smile remained.

“Oh stop, your duty now is to prepare your body for an heir,” his Noble Consort chided, “and for some unholy reason I was tasked with helping.”

“It wasn’t my choice either,” Wei Wuxian sarcastically bit out.

A hand slapped across his face.

“You are below me regardless of the imperial family's choice in breeding you. I will not take your insults lightly, Consort Wei Wuxian,” she stared at him fiercely.

He lifted a hand to his cheek. This was the first time she had raised a hand on him since he was gifted. She had always been impassive towards him, aside from her fan hitting his knuckles during lessons she was never scrutinizing.

Perhaps it was that she never cared for him to begin with, and now that he is her’s to mend for this life, he’s too much of a risk on her perfect resume.

“Well,” the other Jin said, slapping his hands to his knees and standing up, “I should be making sure my own harem isn’t acting up. I will be on my way out and shall see you both during the festivities.”

He bowed to his Jin sibling and then towards Wei Wuxian who only inclined his head a little, dropping his hand from his cheek. It stung; a sensation he was well accustomed to.

“But before I go, Su, a word?” He asked with a gesture to lead her out of the room.

Wei Wuxian actually never bothered to learn any of the other concubines' names, and judging by the way Noble Consort Jin’s face seemingly flinched at her name, he’d guess she never intended for him to know her name. After all, he didn’t bother asking. He simply didn’t mind not knowing people's names, plus his memory was awful.

She gave Wei Wuxian a look that said ‘keep your ass on this couch’ and followed after the other Noble Consort. Wei Wuxian watched as they walked out the door, gaze turning to the tea that had been prepared but clearly made with the intention that nobody would drink it.

“Young master,” Wen Ning’s friendly and all too welcomed voice came from another adjourning entrance.

Wei Wuxian frantically waved him over. Wen Ning scuttled across the floor, his face was already beaded with sweat.

“Wen Ning,” he grabbed the beta’s sleeves, “listen. We almost died today.”

“Died?” Wen Ning echo’d, eyes wide.

“Close enough to it!” Wei Wuxian hissed, “Noble Consort Jin thinks you are fetching refreshments and she's requesting you get me a new set of robes.”

Wen Ning caught sight of Wei Wuxian’s bloody sleeves and palm, “Ah! Young master, what did you do? I already have extra robes for you.”

“Don’t fuss, I just need bandages and a clean towel to wipe it. It’s just a scrape…” then he processed, “Wait, you already have extra robes?”

He nodded his head, “I always carry extra robes, you’re always getting messy so I thought it would be smart of me to carry another set.”

Wei Wuxian’s heart strings tugged at his friend's kind gesture, he couldn’t find it in him to sarcastically reply to the kind-of-insult. Of course Wen Ning would be prepared to fix his messes.

“Okay, okay. Good!” He let go of Wen Ning’s sleeves, “Go pretend to get the refreshments so that Noble Consort Jin doesn’t send us to the torture chambers and bring the robes!”

Wen Ning’s eyes widened even more at the mention of torture but he quickly nodded like a saluting soldier with a “Yes, young master!” and scampered back to where he entered.

After Wen Ning’s dramatic but smooth exit, Noble Consort Jin returned with the placid face she normally wore around Wei Wuxiam.

It was interesting to see her express more emotions as he had never witnessed her anger before. The woman normally wore smiles and made light, approachable conversation with the rest of the palace. Even the staff thought she was a kind being.

“I apologize for the wait, Consort Wei Wuxian,” she reapproached him and picked up the same pins she had in her hands earlier to start on his hair again.

He hummed a response, focusing on running his index finger against the healing cut from earlier. He knew it wouldn’t bleed so long as he was careful, but asking for care from him was unlikely.

“The pressure has been immense, I should not have laid a hand on you,” she said after pinning the last piece of hair away. She picked up a mirror and offered it to him.

When he looked he saw how she did more elaborate braids against the side of his head than the maids did earlier. His ears were poking out behind the front strands of his bangs and the length of his hair flowed downward in a fishtail braid.

His cinnabar collar flashed in the mirror with the reflection of the setting sun leaking through an open window, making it look like an even deeper red than it actually was.

He set the mirror down and nodded, “I appreciate the apology but I was not minding my manners. You have worked tiresomely with me and I have done nothing to show it.”

She pushed his bangs around until satisfied, “Regardless, I should not be slapping you. Leaving a mark on you isn’t against the rules but it may be soon enough.”

Wei Wuxian blinked, staring at her. He didn’t want to have this conversation. He was reminded daily of his duty and he had yet to even bed the prince since.

Thankfully Wen Ning knocked at the door the Noble Consort’s had been using and entered with an abundance of fruit on a platter, bandages and robes hanging from his arms, “Young master, I heard you got a scrape on your hand.”

If Noble Consort Jin was suspicious of them, she didn’t show it. Wen Ning bowed to them both and trotted over.

“Wen Ning,” he smiled, mentally making a note to himself that he had to find some way to thank his poor servant for all his troubles, “thank you.”

Wen Ning set the tray down and laid out the bandages. Wei Wuxian offered his hand and his servant went to work, bandaging his hand as if it were a much deeper wound.

Noble Consort Jin pinched the bridge of her nose and picked up a tea cup from the tray that had been previously ignored, “You will be sitting closest to the second crown prince tonight, and I will be on his opposite side. If he asks you of anything, you must oblige. We are to be silent and attentive of our posture, so no slouching. If your clan approaches and requests to speak, you may. Other households should hold no interest in any of the concubines outside of their clan but because you are the second crown prince’s chosen consort, people may get curious. Please, Consort Wei Wuxian, respond diligently and politely and do not engage with the other harem.”

“I understand,” he popped a grape into his mouth.

“Good,” she breathed out and took a sip from the teacup, setting it down with a soft clink.

Wen Ning finished bandaging the hand and even went as far as to decorate his wrist with golden bangle bracelets that chimed when he moved his wrist.

“And if anyone asks about that injury: you fell.”

Wei Wuxian looked at her, clear confusion on his face. The whole palace saw him struggling to pick up the shattered porcelain vase.

“If people assume the second crown prince is abusing you, it would not look good. People love royal scandal,” she explained.

Ah, that would make for an interesting story.

He kept his lips tight and looked over the robes Wen Ning brought to switch out. They were still Jiang clan colors, deep purple with softer hues lining the outer cuts. If one looked close enough they would see lotus flowers scattered around the collar and sleeves, so delicately entwined into the fabric one could miss it.

Wen Ning had pulled out a changing screen while he was observing the robes. Wei Wuxian got up and walked over to get behind the screen while trying not to look too sulky. Last time he had used a palace screen he had been poked and prodded, the image still fresh in his mind.

He shed the bloodied sleeve robes off and wiggled his way into the fresh ones, tying himself off even though Wen Ning kept trying to nitpick at the clothes. He pulled his hair out from under the fabric collar and slipped on the same boots he’d donned before.

Noble Consort Jin was already waiting for him at the door, her hands patiently at her sides and eyebrows raised in anticipation. He obediently walked over to her, she led him out the door and into the unknown of a Lan Clan banquet.

All eyes turned towards them trying to get a look at the war-veteran-now-turned-consort who had just made an impressive mess of things half an incense ago in the very same hall they entered.

“Keep your eyes ahead and do not fret their words,” Noble Consort Jin said to him while keeping her own eyes forward.

He followed a step behind her, but even with her instructions he still couldn’t help but glance around at the guests. He was always a curious thing.

They passed the hallway room where Lan Wangji had come out of, he stared at the door and partially wished he had the right to barge into whatever meeting was going on and save the poor second prince from such an awful fate.

His emotions were a mess, he couldn’t help but feel unwanted but equally desired to throw himself at the prince and let the man have his way with him.
Then he would remind himself that Lan Wangji did not choose Wei Wuxian for any of this. The crown prince made this decision, and that made him feel like he couldn’t breathe.

The entertainment hall was even louder. A light melody from a handful of guqin’s came from the center of the room, Lan Clan members kneeled with their instruments positioned in their laps like statues cladded in white and strummed with minimal movement. No guest was sitting yet, other clan members were still discussing their own lives and boasting about their progress in hopes of being praised by others.

Wei Wuxian was led to what was presumably his seat. It wasn’t anything grand, but certainly fancier than the common tables with Lan Clan symbols and dragons curling around the arms of the low sitting table. It was not lifted like the crown princes’ were but on ground level, if Wei Wuxian wanted to look at Lan Wangji he would have to crane his head upward like the rest of the audience.

Noble Consort Jin gestured for him to sit, “I will be making rounds. The other concubines should be sitting soon, remember what I have told you and we will get you through tonight unscathed.”

He nodded and sat as she asked. Once she walked away he grabbed the single set of chopsticks beside his empty plate and started to absentmindedly tap them against the wooden table.

There were plenty of self-declared important cultivators who meandered about. A handful of groups gathered right in front of the throne with boisterous conversation that broke many rules of the Lan Clan, if they were not guests they would be sent to receive a form of punishment for being too loud.

The other concubines from his harem had elegantly arrived and took their seats. They had been positioned in a line made up of two rows though slightly separated from Wei Wuxian so as to make a difference of harem hierarchy be known.

He couldn’t see Lan Xichen’s harem from where he sat and he had to assume they made these arrangements on purpose.

An abundance of people glanced at him but never made it a point to stare. He knew he was the center of conversation for more than a few parties but none of the guests seemed willing to challenge the royal family's laws on concubines at banquets to approach him.

Two men had been huddled deep in conversation adjacent to Wei Wuxian’s table, he recognized their robes to be the color of the Su Clan from Moling and Qin Clan from Lanling.

Wei Wuxian tried his best not to slouch— he really did— but while listening to the conversations (none of which he was able to join) floating around him he was getting exhausted. He leaned a cheek onto his hand and tried honing in on the two men’s conversation.

He couldn’t make out too much as they mostly talked in hushed voices but it sounded as though they were talking about the rising corpse army Lan Wangji had discussed with him two weeks ago. The man from the Qin Clan seemed exasperated about it, only raising his voice when seemingly more pressed about his clans’ plans to solve it.

The man from the Su Clan only pushed it further, clearly seeking out information and making the other man angry was working in his favor. There were a few angry comments about the Nie Clan’s refusal to step in and how the imperial family was avoiding the topic at their meetings.

Just as the conversation was getting interesting the guqin’s all stopped without a ripple of melody to be heard. Soft chimes sounded from the far end of the entertainment hall and thus the imperial family had finally entered.

Wei Wuxian sat up again, stretching his spine stick straight.

Lan Xichen had walked in first with his head held high, the soft smile known all around the empire was easily seen from where Wei Wuxian sat.

Next came Lan Qiren who was still the Emperor’s right hand man and face of the palace for now. Wei Wuxian hadn’t seen him since the throne room, but the man still looked like a stick in the mud. Unlike Lan Xichen who was politely greeting guests, he was completely ignoring them and walking straight to the top of the throne stairs.

And then there was Lan Wangji’s entrance. Wei Wuxian’s heart stuttered. Lan Wangji had changed since their encounter, his stark white robes now decorated with light blue cuffs. His hair knot was donned with a traditional silver crown that sat at the top of his head. His cool golden eyes searched the room only to land on Wei Wuxian and stay there.

Wei Wuxian fought the itch to squirm.

Once Lan Wangji broke eye contact with him did he breathe again, picking up a cup of whatever was next to him and taking a long drink. Turns out it had been tea and he was thankful it had gone cold.

When all three of the imperial family made it to the stairs they turned to acknowledge the guests properly. In return the guests bowed and headed toward their assigned tables. When everyone was organized and standing beside their tables the imperial family made their way to their own tables and sat before the guests.

Wei Wuxian himself had stood up and waited for the three to sit first. With a silent bow that circulated the room everyone had finally stopped talking and sat for the first course of meals.

Now that everyone was properly organized he could finally see the Jiang Clan’s seats.

Jiang Fengmian and Madam Yu were seated beside each other, Jiang Cheng directly behind them. They did not bring any sect disciples in tow which wasn’t that surprising.

The Jin’s sat closest to the throne stairs. They had an abundance of people Wei Wuxian could recognize. Jin Guangshan, the clan leader, sat in the very front with Madam Jin beside him. Jin Zixuan and jiejie were directly behind them. Jin Zixun, one of Wei Wuxian’s least favorite people, was sitting confidently in the group, albeit further back with a few other disciples Wei Wuxian never bothered getting to know.

He also noticed the newly rebuilt Wen Clan’s colors were nowhere to be seen.

A palace servant got directly into Wei Wuxian’s view to spread the first course out in front of him. Wei Wuxian’s stomach gurgled and he tried to hide his embarrassment. Luckily the servant didn’t even look at him, gracefully walking off to retrieve food for the next tables.

Wei Wuxian knew this had to be an out of the ordinary banquet because before him was a delectable spread of egg rolls, rice, and egg drop soup. The Lan’s hardly ever served food with seasoning, let alone so much meat. His taste buds sparked inside his mouth and he focused extremely hard on picking up his chopsticks with the grace of an empress, exactly how Noble Consort Jin showed him. He kept his back straight and brought the chopsticks to his mouth, popping a egg roll in.

He tried not to moan around his chopsticks at the flavor, finally something worthy enough to actually call food.

Lan Wangji cleared his throat and Wei Wuxian nearly choked, setting the chopsticks down with a soft thud. He looked up toward the second crown prince and found him looking right back.

“The food is to your liking?” He asked.

Wei Wuxian smiled up at him and nodded, “Most excellent your highness.”

Lan Wangji’s eyes trailed down toward Wei Wuxian’s hands.

“I’m all bandaged up, you have no need to fret,” Wei Wuxian opened his palms but kept them low in his lap to not draw any attention. The bandage was still a pristine white, the wounds bleeding had definitely clotted.

“Good,” Lan Wangji said.

That’s when Wei Wuxian noticed the small rabbit wood cutting beside Lan Wangji’s table, a suggestion he made at the consort meeting. He nodded and turned back to the food hoping his ears were not as red as they felt.

“Wei Ying?” His voice suddenly sounded small.

“Hm?” Wei Wuxian looked back up.

The second crown prince looked as though he was contemplating his words carefully, “Are you-“

The sound of drums began and entered a single file line of sword dancers into the middle of the room. They were dressed in plain robes but their swords were decorated intricately. Each was rich in color, the hilts designed with ancient grooves with tassels at the end. They could be used in an actual fight but these swords were made specifically for entertainment purposes.

Lan Wangji never did finish his sentence and Wei Wuxian kept his eyes forward, stuffing his mouth with the next few courses that came out.

He behaved as promised to Noble Consort Jin, greeting his adoptive Jiang family when they came to address him. Unfortunately he was not permitted to rise from his table and instead smiled without showing any teeth.

Jiang Fengmian approached first, offering a bow, “Hello, Consort Wei Wuxian.”

Wei Wuxian smiled and bowed his head to the Jiang Clan leader, “Jiang-shushu.”

It was inappropriate to address his uncle casually, but it slipped out so naturally.

“You look well,” he smiled at the consort, “is palace life treating you well?”

Wei Wuxian knew Jiang Fengmian wasn’t nearly as good at reading with his feelings as his children were, “Palace life is… Educating.”

Jiang Fengmian smiled at the respectable answer, clearly wanting to ask more but as far as respect went, they had to keep conversations short.

“I will see you in Lotus Pier soon,” Jiang Fengmian bowed again.

Madam Yu was next, her face was carefully calculated so as to give no emotions away, “Consort Wei Wuxian.”

Regardless, she bowed. She was put through hundreds of ladyship courses throughout her life, out of all the Jiang Clan she was the most educated on attending these sorts of gatherings.

Wei Wuxian inclined his head and their conversation went no further. She only walked away, her Zidian ring gleaming against the lantern light.

And then Jiang Cheng sauntered over, smirking at his adoptive-older brother, “Consort Wei Wuxian, I see you had to change. Get into trouble again?”

Wei Wuxian fought the urge to smirk and flick a grain of rice into his brother's face, “No more than usual.”

“That’s not reassuring. You attract it more than flies.”

Wei Wuxian scoffed and sat forward, this time actually flicking the rice into his face.

Lan Wangji cleared his throat from above and Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng both froze.

Wei Wuxian laughed under his breath and leaned back again with a little bit of smugness.

Madam Yu grabbed her son by his sleeve and dragged him away, scolding him for causing the second crown prince to even incline his head toward them.

He kept that hope of seeing them all again soon, missing them more than his freedom. They were the closest people he had to family.

His jiejie and her peacock husband never came to visit him as they were only visiting the Noble Consort’s tables. Though he would catch Jin Zixun’s buggy eyes glancing over.

They had a rough history. Wei Wuxian simply just thought the man was too smug for his own good, following in his cousin’s shadow and lurking, only to jump out and spew praises about the Jin Clan when apprehended. Wei Wuxian didn’t think the man knew how to talk without spittle flying out. He was an alpha and when Wei Wuxian had been a free omega, did he try and inch closer to him during the Sunshot Campaign.

The scent of peonies and what Wei Wuxiam thinks is appropriately labeled as dirt was appalling. Gag worthy, even. He could never stand close to that alpha.

During the union of his jiejie and Jin Zixuan he played nice, the slimey cousin tried conversing with Wei Wuxian and he was thankful his collar was secured tightly around his neck.

That was one positive. With the palace’s claim on him no one else was able to touch him. Even at the wedding, he was off limits after the Jiang Clan had announced their gift at the end of the Sunshot Campaign without his knowing.

The rest of the banquet was relatively boring. Wei Wuxian resisted yawning.

There were speeches spewed about gratitude and praise toward the two princes and the emperor. Clan’s made dramatic claims of their time on the battlefield and how the campaign would have remained unwinnable without the help of the Lan Clan.

Wei Wuxian couldn’t see Lan Qiren or Lan Xichen from his seat but he could imagine Lan Qiren’s proud face and Lan Xichen’s soft smile. He snuck a look toward Lan Wangji whose face was as placid as always in the public eye.

No alcohol was served the entire night, the Lan Clan refusing to break that rule. So most of the guests had to entertain themselves by watching the palace dancers or gossiping about the state of the palace.

Wei Wuxian toyed with a few pieces of leftover rice on his plate. He was dying with boredom, his prince had been whisked away into political conversations and the other concubines were with their families as permitted by Noble Consort Jin. Wei Wuxian had to stay where he was, also as demanded by Noble Consort Jin. Which left no one to talk to.

After taking a painful amount of time to form the characters for ‘bored’ with leftover rice, he set his chopsticks down and glanced out at the crowd again. No one was close enough for him to eavesdrop.

Then he came up with a clever idea, he could easily get up under the guise of needing to use the restroom. He needed to stretch his legs and pretending to find a restroom was more than a perfect excuse to get out of the stuffy room.

He stood up and headed toward the bathroom without bothering to ask permission. A few guards beside him followed him with their eyes but didn’t step out to stop him. He strolled right past the crowds and back toward the servants entrance to the kitchen, a short cut he found long ago while exploring the palace as a teen.

The servants all fell into bows when he walked into the kitchen, confused but mostly scared faces looking toward him. Wei Wuxian waved a dismissive hand with a smile and continued on his way without pausing for conversation.

He walked out into the furthest part of the palace where the halls were empty, massive windows lined the hall as replacement walls and exposed the imperial garden. The moonlight shone through the paned glass and illuminated the marble floors to look as if they were glowing. Along the opposite wall hand painted white rolling clouds curling around the mountains of Gusu. Wei Wuxian felt like he’d been teleported to an entirely different location.

If he were honest, he didn’t know where he’d put himself. The layout suddenly seemed different from his years here prior and for good reason. Since Lan Xichen’s upcoming rule and Lan Wangji’s coming of age they had expanded the palace greatly to keep the princes’ business separate.

So now the bathroom was probably flipped around and tucked into the secret dungeon Wei Wuxian was positive, but not proved to exist, existed.

Instead of trekking further he stared out the windows, looking over the garden he and Jiang Yanli were in hours ago. He could still see the bench they had sat on, the fountain still timelessly flowing. His eyes couldn’t help but roam the treeline, starting to question his sanity about those ravens.

If not ravenous friends, perhaps spies. But who would be bold enough to spy on him while guarded by the palace walls? He clicked his tongue, it could just be that he was suddenly a bird-whisperer. That was a trait of fairytale princesses Noble Consort Jin had him read once. Even though he’d lack the quality to ever be in the same room as a hound.

A door slid shut behind him, startling him out of his wandering thoughts.

He turned around, his breath was taken away at the sight of the second crown prince approaching him alone.

The moonlight caressed Lan Wangji’s face gently, the shadows that settled only made his jade sculpted face more defined. The stark white robes flowing off his back blended into the illuminated floor and seemingly resembled water splashing at his ankles. The only difference between the room and Lan Wangji was his impossibly black hair that flowed down like a river, two strands always settled in front of his clan’s forehead ribbon.

He stopped just a few steps short of being directly in front of Wei Wuxian.

Wei Wuxian bowed, “Lan Zhan.”

A faint smile spread across the second crown princes’ lips at the more intimate address.

“Wei Ying,” he started, “what are you doing over here?”

Wei Wuxian stood back up and looked down the hall, “I was looking for the bathroom, and it seems I got lost. I knew the palace had been added on to but I never explored the newer grounds until today. I apologize for departing from the party.”

Lan Wangji looked over his face, “There is no need to apologize. I saw your plate.”

Wei Wuxian couldn’t help but let out an awkward laugh, eyes now on the too-bright marble floor.

“Wei Ying, if I may ask a question?”

He looked up at Lan Wangji, his brows were drawn together, eyes focused directly on him.

“Of course, Lan Zhan. Unless it’s about boring politics again, because we really need to work on your small talk,” he teased, trying to lighten the mood before he choked on the tension.

Lan Wangji looked taken back, “Perhaps another time then.”

Wei Wuxian’s eyes widened, “No, no, no. Lan Zhan, you can ask me all the political questions you want. I’m just messing with you. I’m no expert, though.”

“Messing with me?” Lan Wangji echoed.

“Teasing, playing with, joking,” Wei Wuxian rambled off synonyms. “But I’m only kidding. Please, ask away.”

Lan Wangji nodded with his typical, “Mh.”

Then he stepped closer to Wei Wuxian, he took his hand up into his and traced the bandaged palm.

“Wei Ying.”

Wei Wuxian felt his stomach drop into his ass, staring up into those much cooler golden eyes thanks to the moonlight dancing in them.

“How do you— Are you okay with this… Assignment?” Lan Wangji finally asked after making Wei Wuxian wait in agonizing silence.

“Assignment?” He murmured.

Lan Wangji rubbed a thumb across his wrist, the gold bangles making a soft jingle.

“Of bearing an heir.”

Wei Wuxian swallowed, “I— If your highness does not mind,” he went into political mode, “if he will let me speak my mind freely?”

“You have never needed to ask me before and will never need to,” Lan Wangji assured.

Wei Wuxian cursed the gods for making this man so perfect.

“I am positive that our child would be stunning,” Wei Wuxian said, “at least in looks. Their behavior is what I worry about. Your palace may crumble if there is another Wei Wuxian running around these halls.”

Lan Wangji’s thumb slid further up, feeling at Wei Wuxian’s pulse point, “But do you want a child with me?”

“I do not have a choice in the matter,” Wei Wuxian answered too fast.

Lan Wangji paused, “If you did, then?”

Wei Wuxian sucked in a breath and chewed his bottom lip in contemplation.

“I never wanted to be part of the palace. Hell, I didn’t even want to be a cultivator. My mother and father wandered the country after having me and lost their lives together. I was found by Jiang Fengmian’s bleeding heart and formed a golden core, thus tossed into this world,” he knew he was rambling. “If I knew at nine years old that I would be forced into this life, I would have ran far away.”

Lan Wangji kept his eyes locked on his, no judgement had flickered between them.

So, Wei Wuxian continued, “But because of where I am now, I am fed and taken care of. I want to do more than wander the palace grounds, I want to be part of the action. But if your family insists that I am the best… breedable omega for you, then I will accept my fate of bearing your heir. Lan Zhan, you are a wonderful man and will be an even more superb leader. I just wish we could spend more time together. I fear your only memories of me are tainted with shame or fear. I want to make more.”

Lan Wangji cupped his face, “I will take you beyond the palace walls, Wei Ying. You do not have to feel like a prisoner here. I will give you more time with me as soon as permitted.”

Wei Wuxian leaned into his hand.

A sharp pain ebbed between his legs suddenly. He gasped and bent forward, into Lan Wangji’s chest. In response the prince grabbed at the others shoulders, a little panicked, “Wei Ying?”

Wei Wuxian cursed softly. He knew exactly what this pain was and he needed to get away from the prince fast.

“I’m fine,” he gritted his teeth, “I just need to get back to my residence. The festivities have worn me out.”

“You are lying,” Lan Wangji pushed him upward, making Wei Wuxian cringe.

Normally a pre-heat would have warned him of his actual heat. The injections must have mulled over the pre part and just thrown him straight into heat instead.

“No,” he tried to form a reassuring smile, “my shin is also just hurting a little from hitting it earlier. I just really need to lay down.”

Lan Wangji’s concern rolled off in waves.

Wei Wuxian needed to go, he refused to turn into his heat-driven feral self at the damned banquet. With great effort he stood up straight and pressed a kiss to the side of Lan Wangji’s jawline.

“Please excuse me.”

Lan Wangji observed Wei Wuxian as another cramp rolled its way from between his legs to the back of his spine. Another pained gasp and he lurched forward, Lan Wangji caught him and held him up.

“Wei Ying, are you…?” The prince was no fool.

“Lan Zhan,” he bit out, “please. I know it is wrong to ask you, but have someone find Wen Ning and let him escort me back. I beg you not to follow me nor let your family know. Please, Lan Zhan.”

He hated the sound of his own desperate voice, sounding as if he were on the verge of tears.

Lan Wangji’s arms tightened around him, his scent clearly starting to strengthen and alert the alpha.

“Wei Ying, it is against the palace-“ He tried to reason but got tossed off.

“Get off of me then! Help me or don’t, I have to go,” Wei Wuxian raised his voice at the other man, not exactly the smartest move for an unbonded omega going into heat but it got him out of the embrace.

The cramping pain receded for a brief moment allowing Wei Wuxian to get away. He walked until coming across a door that sat between the massive windows and led into the garden, he slid it open and stumbled into the cool autumn air.

He could see Lan Wangji watching him through the window, his facial features filled with more trepidation than ever before. Just as they finally had a moment alone, he had to go into heat. Though it did explain his scattered emotions and easy arousal earlier.

No one was in the garden, meaning his scent wouldn’t be detected by another. He made his way toward the side entrance and hunched down, hugging his knees to his chest while more waves of pain hit.

There was no telling how much time had passed but finally, finally, Wen Ning came to his side. He tossed a heavily sandalwood scented coat across his shoulders and helped him stand, “Let's get you back, young master.”

Chapter Text

There were rumors of how awful Wei Wuxian got during his heats. Rumors that spread from over Lotus Pier’s waters and directly slipped through the clouds of Gusu.

It was said the omega fought. He was known for destroying his rooms and showing teeth to any and every person who was not of familiar scent. Mostly meaning the only person who could approach him was Jiang Yanli.

He was both bark and bite, an aggressive thing that Yu Ziyuan tried to hide behind the closed doors of Lotus Pier. Anyone who ever was hurt by the omega during such times was quickly paid hush money to protect Wei Wuxian’s eligibility. No one would want to handle an aggressive omega, it was already bad enough the boy had a mouth on him outside of his heat.

During his few heats in Yunmeng he had been thrown into a room specifically made for him. It was never familiarly scented and always left him more aggressive than before. He was overwhelmed, unbonded, and a virgin. He didn’t understand what his body wanted.

Jiang Yanli would gently wipe the sweat off his brow after he’d finally ended his cycle, laying in his own room, breathing in the scents that became comforting since childhood.

Her smile was always gentle and she would speak in hushed tones, “My poor A-Xian,” she would brush his unruly hair back behind his ear.

Wei Wuxian, of course, would pout and milk the affection, “It’s awful, jiejie…”

Most of his heats went like this afterward, Jiang Yanli would bandage his wounds he’d inflicted on himself and quietly help him bathe with ginger hands and a soft, honey voice.

But Jiang Yanli was no longer able to comfort him anymore, she was married and a Jin now. He had to face these heats alone, in a palace full of servants who never minded their own business. This was only his second heat at the palace. The first started with the imperial physician drugging him unconscious after he’d almost torn an ear off one one of the nurses. Lan Wangji was attending to business elsewhere, the only alpha permitted to touch Wei Wuxian wasn’t even around to calm him and the residence they placed him in would be destroyed if they had done nothing.

Wei Wuxian sent Wen Ning outside the door the moment they got back from the banquet and asked the servant to lock him inside, allowing no one to enter regardless of the noises he may or may not hear. Wen Ning knew it was against the rules of the palace, any omega in heat was to be reported immediately. So when the imperial guards walked by hours later and asked where the noise of shattered glass came from, Wen Ning caved. He couldn’t let his master get hurt for such a selfish request. The residence was not padded and the omega had plenty of things to get hurt with.

He was burning. His insides felt like molten lava and gods everything was going to fall out.

Wei Wuxian clutched at his abdomen, leaning over the vanity in his confined space, glass sparkled on the floor around his bare feet. He didn’t mean to break the glass, it simply got in the way. His knuckles bled and palm gash reopened but he didn’t care, instead he doubled over and listened to the pounding of his heart, the heat building between his legs.

“Fucking injections,” he rasped to himself.

He knew what his body was demanding, he was no longer pure and eligible. He was property. With a few curses under his breath he stumbled over towards his empty bed, digging his fingers deep into the wooden headboard. He grabbed a pillow and shoved it between his legs, straddling it on top of the bed. He pinned the end of it with his foot and began to grind himself against it, looking for friction, any sort of relief.

He could hear the wood splinter under his fingers as he clawed deeper into it, frustrated with the lack of, well, anything. The heat between his legs was beginning to stem its way up, his chest feeling heavier, hotter.

Wei Wuxian let out a frustrated scream, throwing the pillow hard enough to knock over an unlit lantern at his writing desk, pens and ink falling to the ground. He grabbed at his sheets and pulled all the bedding off, tossing it in the air for good measure before pulling another pillow and digging his teeth into it with a snarl.

He was pissed. Nothing was working, nothing smelt right, it never did. The only short lived scent was the sandalwood coat he had been escorted back in but he’d already rubbed the scent off by dragging it against his flushed skin. His claws ripped the pillow into pieces. Feathers landed around him, sticking to his bleeding knuckles and cut feet.

Rolling onto his belly, he put his hands between his legs and beneath his robes, pushing two digits into himself, attempting to at least ease some discomfort. The two digits curled inward and pushed forward a magnitude of times before he let out a sob, tears spilling out. It wasn’t enough.

He rolled back onto his back and took his fingers out. He panted and stared at the ceiling, contemplating on tearing the roof down next.

Then the fresh scent of sandalwood hit him like a brickwall.

Wei Wuxian narrowed his eyes and stared at the door to his bedroom, slowly lifting himself off the bed filled with tattered material. Regardless of how appealing the smell was, it wasn’t a scent he had ever experienced in this state.

When Lan Wangji appeared, he wasted no time, leaping off the bed and rushing towards the alpha with his teeth bared. Lan Wangji immediately grabbed him by his throat, above his collar, and slammed him against a wall. Wei Wuxian struggled, kicking his legs and digging his claws into the alpha’s arm, beads of blood pooled around his nails.

The distant voice of a guard called his action treason against the throne and Wei Wuxian whipped his head toward the strange voice.

He saw more than Lan Wangji had entered his space. If he was angry before then he would be considered enraged now. People he didn’t know dared to step foot into his territory, into his nest.

Behind them was Wen Ning standing nervously, fiddling with his sleeves. Wei Wuxian didn’t have the right mind to realize the poor servant, his only friend in the palace, was worried about him.

“Wen Ning you betrayed me,” Wei Wuxian rasped out from underneath Lan Wangji’s grip, still holding himself up with nails digging into the latter's arm.

Wen Ning opened his mouth but before he could get a word out the guard who’d opened the door was demanded to close it, a growl emitting from Lan Wangji. A moment later the guard scrambled for the door and shut it with a bang, a request for an imperial physician was muttered from behind the door, more than likely for Lan Wanji.

Wei Wuxian’s feral eyes whipped back to Lan Wangji, seeing as he was distracted by commanding the others, Wei Wuxian took the chance and swung his bloodied feet up, straight into the alpha’s gut.

Lan Wangji lost his wind momentarily and let go from the sudden burst of impact, though an omega his strength was matched, Wei Wuxian fell onto his knees, scrambling away from the alpha. He quickly barricaded himself around the table in the center of the room, using it to distance himself from the other.

“Wei Ying….” Lan Wangji called him, his voice soft and uncertain as he pulled himself together. This was the first time he had ever actually seen the omega in heat.

Lan Wangji slowly moved around the table, Wei Wuxian’s eyes followed every step. The moment he got close enough, Wei Wuxian lunged his entire weight forward towards Lan Wangji’s waist, knocking them both over along with the table of even more sharp objects. Lan Wangji knew the omega was unpredictable outside of his heat but this was far worse.

Wei Wuxian rolled away, Lan Wangji’s hand grabbing onto his robes that were already loose, the top half coming completely undone and exposing Wei Wuxian’s flushed chest.

“Wei Ying!” Lan Wangji jumped up for the second time.

Wei Wuxian stared at him from across the room, almost predatory.

“You are in heat,” Lan Wangji tried to reason, “if you keep being so reckless you will burn your body unconscious."

It was a little pointless to reason with him, he was lucid but not enough to actually listen to reason.

“You want me to stop?” Wei Wuxian rasped, his voice hoarse from sobbing minutes ago, “Why? So you can pin me down and breed me? So you can fuck me senseless? Do you want to fill your selected consort with seed, Hanguang-Jun? Your chosen mother of your future child.”

An alluring pheromone rose into the air, practically choking Lan Wangji into silence. Wei Wuxian observed the alpha from far, his vision was beginning to obscure and spin.

It was what the omega’s body craved after all, but Wei Wuxian was stubborn. He would make it a fight until he rendered himself faint.

“You’re bleeding,” Lan Wangji said instead.

Wei Wuxian kept his feverish eyes on the alpha.

“Come here.”

It was a demand, not a request.

Wei Wuxian’s body seemed to fight the urge to move forward. Inevitably, he caved in and stalked over cautiously with bleeding feet.

The floor creaked under him, all the noise outside vanished. He could hear Lan Wangji’s controlled breathing, saw how his cold gold eyes flicked between Wei Wuxian’s.

Lan Wanji lifted a hand towards him, Wei Wuxian paused and stared at it.

During all of his heats, he had never had someone in his vicinity, let alone an alpha. He was always alone and locked away, tearing into himself. Nevermind wanting him, no one was ever even been gentle towards him, no one chose him.

A dribble of blood twisted around Lan Wangji’s forearm from his Wei Wuxian inflicted wound and fell, staining the end of his white robe.

A deep breath, he stepped forward again.

And again.

And again.

Eventually he reached the other side of the room, allowing the alpha before him to place his hand against his sweaty, tear stained cheek.

“Wei Ying,” Lan Wangji sighed with pity twined into his name.

Lan Wangji was careful with his movements, reaching his other hand down to take Wei Wuxian’s, looking over his bloody knuckles and splintered hands.

Wei Wuxian felt hot. He felt dizzy, and tired, and with the alpha near he could almost say safe.

But then there was a loud knock on the door that slipped them both from the moment of comfort. Wei Wuxian turned his head and bit down on Lan Wangji’s hand with dull teeth, but teeth nonetheless. Lan Wangji hissed in pain and pulled back immediately, holding his now injured hand to his chest.

And just like that, the omega retreated back to the other end of the room.

“Your highness,” the same guard from before called, “The imperial physician had been summoned.”

Lan Wangji closed his eyes and took a deep breath, and with a controlled tone he spoke, “I will handle this. You are all dismissed.”

Wei Wuxian could smell the abundance of herbs and tonics oozing from the door, making his nose scrunch. He remembered well enough how he had been restrained, acupuncture needles piercing all the right places to make him yield and suffer the heat alone, letting him burn inside his own body without even the mercy of allowing him to scream.

Now he was injected with fertility shots, forced to glug down their tonics and publicly examined.

Nothing moved from behind the door, indicating the imperial staff have not left.

“It is by law that you leave this premise and allow me to handle this alone,” Lan Wangji commanded after looking back towards Wei Wuxian.

There were footsteps retreating then, the unfamiliar smells finally dispersing.

“Wei Ying,” Lan Wangji said, “please.”

Wei Wuxian was feeling sick at this point. The cramp in his stomach was suffocating and his entire body felt as though it were drowning. With his top robes undone he could feel his hair sticking against his body and it was uncomfortable to say the least.

But he was scared, he was horny, he felt like vomiting, and the alpha in front of him was only confusing him.

He slowly lowered himself down to a seated position on the floor and pulled his legs into his chest, keeping his half lidded eyes narrowly on the other.

Lan Wangji looked him over before approaching him. He reached the omega and knelt down in front of him, reaching out with the same hand that had been bitten and gripped at the omega’s chin, “What am I to do with you?”

Wei Wuxian felt more tears wetting his cheeks. Another pulse of agonizing pain waved through him and he lurched forward, unbundling his legs and pressing both palms down against the wooden floor.

Lan Wangji waited until he caught his breath before scooping him up and walking him back towards the bedroom. Wei Wuxian wrapped his arms and legs around the other man, the heat of Lan Wangji’s body waving into his gave a slight ease to the aching pain between his legs.

“Lan Zhan,” he whispered against the soft robes, his lower half began to grind against him much like the pillow he tried to get off on half an incense ago.

To his relief, Lan Wangji let him. He laid them down onto the tattered bed while Wei Wuxian continued to breathe him in, he could feel how wet he had become while grinding on the alpha.

With shaky hands he pulled away and began to pull apart the others robes, a sense of feverish desire rising over him when he realized he could ease his ache with Lan Wangji’s cock.

Wei Wuxian’s breathing trembled and he began to feel lightheaded. Lan Wangji must have noticed that because before he knew it he was pinned under the other man, “Let me help you.”

Lan Wangji hooked his fingers under Wei Wuxian’s pants and slid them down. The fabric against his skin felt like it was burning him, he let out a whine and pushed his back further into the bed.

At this point he was completely naked.

Lan Wangji slid down him after gently removing his hands from his back. He felt a hot tongue suddenly lick down towards his open, fragrant, slit. It traveled down his midsection and toward his hip, up his left thigh. Wei Wuxian gripped onto the blanket, fighting the fever that threatened to knock him out before feeling relief.

The scraping of teeth was next, restrained bites in various locations against both his thighs littered him. Lan Wangji took his time and Wei Wuxian was painfully aware. He pushed his hips upward and towards the other man's mouth with a begging moan, “Please…”

He was dripping. He was hot and panting without any form of intrusion. His eyes peered down his body, peering down with heavy lids at the arousing sight of Lan Wangji greedily pressing his mouth against him.

Then his tongue languidly licked between his folds and Wei Wuxian let out a long, dragged out moan. He lifted his arms upward and gripped the mattress.

Lan Wangji kept his eyes pasted on to the others face while continuing to use his tongue. He grabbed at Wei Wuxian’s thighs and put them around his shoulders, in response the omega pulled his face in closer and humped upward.

Lan Wangji held on, gripping at the omega’s bottom.

“Lan Zhan,” He pleaded as he felt the urge to release, the stimulation beginning to feel too confined. He reached down and placed his hands onto Lan Wangji’s head, carding his fingers through his hair, forehead ribbon and all. The alpha made no move to let up, instead he responded with a hum and started moving his tongue faster, sliding into Wei Wuxian’s entrance, his nose coddled against his clit.

Wei Wuxian came hard, choking out incomprehensible words with a raspy cry. His legs loosened around Lan Wangji’s neck and collapsed down onto the bed.

Lan Wangji made his way back up to grip his chin and moved his head from one side to the other.

Wei Wuxian felt soft. He had never felt relief during a heat, never pleasured. He reached his arms upward and tangled them behind Lan Wangji, shoving his face into the alpha’s neck and began to rub his chin there with intention to scent.

A rumble of yet another warning growl emitted from the alpha but Wei Wuxian challenged him with a snarl. He bit at Lan Wangji’s neck and the alpha pulled away fast, eyes wide with confusion.

The omega could bite all he wanted but it would never alter a change.

“Claim me,” Wei Wuxian gasped out, his fever festering with more force. He tilted his head to the side to expose his neck, putting his hand up to grip at his collar with intention to remove it with his bare hands.

Lan Wangji held his breath.

Wei Wuxian gave up on his collar and grabbed at the other man's robe, pulling him down so their foreheads touched since his submission was blatantly ignored, “Make me yours.”

He felt Lan Wangji’s arms lower down to support himself above the other without completely crushing him all the while keeping eye contact. Wei Wuxian’s legs wrapped at his waist. Shaking hands skillfully made their way down between them, releasing Lan Wangji.

Wei Wuxian squeezed him with a sweaty palm.

“You’re already mine,” Lan Wangji spoke with heavy lust.

Wei Wuxian bared his teeth at him, he wasn’t in the mood to be denied right now, “More.”

Lan Wangji breathed out a laugh without smiling. He leaned up to press his lips against his forehead, continuing to ignore the request with greatly reserved strength.

When it became apparently obvious the alpha wasnt going to give him whay he wanted, Wei Wuxian pulled away completely, deciding he was done. He dropped his hands from touching Lan Wangji and slid himself up with his own hands.

Lan Wangji grabbed his hips and pulled him right back under him, “Where do you think you’re going?”

The rumble of his voice made Wei Wuxian feel dizzy even laying down. But he wanted to win, he would win even before succumbing to his heat once and for all. And to win he had to play a dangerous game.

“To find someone who will mate me,” He spoke with surprising clarity, “I am worth something now, aren’t I? Your beloved Yiling Patriarch, a nice prize. I’m sure one of our former alpha classmates would court me,” even with his fever he knew it was a lie, no alpha would take used goods, “they’d foam at the mouth with a shot at me, maybe even lay me down and fuck m-“

Lan Wangji shoved two fingers into the omega’s mouth, making him gag into silence. Wei Wuxian jerked underneath him, his knee slamming up between the alpha’s crotch. The latter was unfazed, glaring at the man below him with territorial eyes.

Wei Wuxian gagged twice before Lan Wangji retracted his fingers and put his hand over the other's mouth, “Don’t you dare say anything like that again.”

Wei Wuxian tremored below, the air stiffening with dominance and rage. He stared back with wide eyes and gave a nod of confirmation below the hand still actively covering his mouth.

“You are mine, Wei Ying.”

He shrank back even further with a visible swallow.

Lan Wangji’s nails dug deep into the groove of Wei Wuxian’s hip, shooting unexpected pulses of pleasure through his body. He gasped under his hand, rolling his body upward to press into Lan Wangji’s once more.

The eyes above him narrowed, Wei Wuxian was finally starting to lose his lucid train of thought, leaning into his presenting gender’s needs, and the man above him could smell it.

He lowered his face down enough, hovering just above Wei Wuxian, “And I will make sure you never forget it.”

Wei Wuxian spread his legs open, eyes shutting tight as he anticipated his punishment.

The alpha shoved deep into him, he could faintly register a hiss coming from him. Wei Wuxian really was burning up.

His arms tossed up around Lan Wangji’s back, nails dragging down when he felt the member inside of him bottom out. Lan Wangji began to thrust into him, he let go of the omega’s mouth and lifted his waist up with both hands gripping the omega’s hips.

Wei Wuxian curved his back and threw his head against the bed letting out a loud cry of pleasure. Lan Wangji’s nails dug deeper into him with that wail. He could feel him inside, throbbing in response.

The omega suddenly pushed up, grabbing the alpha and shoving him onto his back. He spread his claws against Lan Wangji’s chest and started to ride him at a slower pace. Soft gasps escaped from his parted lips, his face flushed, hair undone in the wildest of ways.

He leaned over the alpha while keeping the languid bounce, running his teeth over the curve of the other man's ear. He could feel Lan Wangji tense underneath him, clearly paranoid that the omega was about to act out again. He did once nearly rip off a physician's ear during his last heat.

But why would he do that to this alpha in front of him?

He picked up the pace a smidge, lifting himself back up with his hands firmly pressed down on Lan Wangji’s chest. Soft, erotic noises continued to spill from his lips.

Lan Wangji grabbed the omega by his hips again and stood up in one fellswoop, pushing Wei Wuxian against the wall of his bedroom while they were still connected. Wei Wuxian let out a yelp when the back of his head smacked the wall, legs automatically wrapping tightly around Lan Wangji’s waist.

There was a pause as Lan Wangji looked up at him with concerned his eyes. Wei Wuxian wrapped a hand around the nape of the other man's neck and pulled him into his chest, annoyed that the alpha had paused. Lan Wangji took the hint and started back up again, setting a much faster pace.

Wei Wuxian’s back grinded against the wall as he muffled his cries of pleasure into the palm of his injured hand. He was getting pounded into and his head was fueled with flames.

Lan Wangji gripped at his ass, supporting him upward as he bit the omega’s collarbone, littering small bite marks around his chest. His teeth would occasionally collide with the damned cinnabar collar, blocking his full access to the omega’s entire body.

Wei Wuxian felt his release rising, “Good alpha…” he mumbled hazily, “You feel so good inside of me. Breed me, Lan Zhan. Please give me— ngghh— give me your seed… I’ll— aaah— take such good care of your children. Please, Lan Zhan.”

His luring titillating words whispered into the alpha’s ear and he felt the falter between them. Lan Wangji bit his collarbone harder than before, a rush of hot liquid spilling inside of the omega as Lan Wangji climaxed.

Inevitably, this pushed Wei Wuxian into his own. He dug his nails into Lan Wangji’s shoulders, his legs tightening around the alpha’s waist as he felt the knot climb up and settle inside of him.

He vaguely remembers setting his head against Lan Wangji’s shoulder before falling fast asleep in the arms of the alpha.

-

Wei Wuxian’s body felt heavy.

A light breeze drifted from an open window that carassed his cheek and exposed body parts. He was tangled in bedding that must have been pulled from the storage closet.

His head was still pounding and his body ached for release but with a moment of clarity he was able to peel his face off the bed and find a Lan Wangji still completely in one piece beside him.

Some time within the blurry moments of rest Wei Wuxian must have gotten up and piled whatever scraps of comforting scent he could find because around them was a mountain of cloth. He had never nested before but perhaps this was a healthy habit after satisfying his heart's desire.

He crawled on top of the alpha and explored him, taking his fingers and running them along a sculpted body. They eventually found their way to Lan Wangji’s forearm, the same one Wei Wuxian had caused injury to with his claws.

Wei Wuxian brought his arm up and began to lick at the wound.

Lan Wangji stirred awake, looking up at the omega with crescent eyes, “Wei Ying…”

Wei Wuxian continued to lap at his wound, his hazy mind too far into the heat to make any conversation.

Lan Wangji lifted his free hand and ran his fingers through Wei Wuxian’s hair, back up to his head. He gently pried the omega away from his arm and pulled him back toward his chest.

Wei Wuxian breathed in the heavenly scent that was the alpha. He wiggled his hips above Lan Wangji and smiled once he felt the rumble of a groan. He wanted another round. He was going to get another round.

-

The next time he woke his back was against the alpha’s chest. He could feel Lan Wangji’s chin nestled against the crown of his head and his arm wrapped protectively around his waist, a hand against his swelling belly.

Wei Wuxian brought his own hands up to rest against the back of Lan Wangji’s around his belly, pushing himself tighter into his embrace.

Lan Wangji must have been awake, he moved his chin and replaced it with his lips against the top of Wei Wuxian’s head. The omega purred and flipped around in the embrace, lazily wrapping his legs around the alpha.

He pulled himself upward toward Lan Wangji’s neck, rubbing his scent against the crook of his neck and collarbones. Lan Wangji for once did not protest, making Wei Wuxian’s job a lot easier.

He licked up the middle section of the alpha’s neck and across the underside of his chin, softly nibbling at the others jawline. His hands wandered down between their nude bodies, grabbing at Lan Wangji’s half-erect cock.

“Insatiable…” Lan Wangji breathed out, his voice hitched.

-

The smell of congee wafted around the room, Wei Wuxian’s foggy brain pushed away sleep to investigate the unwanted scent.

His alpha was kneeling in front of him with a spoonful of congee outside of the nest he had created for them, fully clothed. Wei Wuxian narrowed his eyes at the wooden spoon, already annoyed that his alpha abandoned him and put clothes on.

“Wei Ying, you must eat,” Lan Wangji coaxed with a soft voice.

Wei Wuxian’s cheek was still pressed against the pillow below his head. He didn’t budge.

Lan Wangji sighed, “Stubborn.”

Wei Wuxian sat up and smacked the wooden spoon away, he wrapped his arms around Lan Wangji’s neck just as quick and pulled the alpha’s torso back over the bed. His skin felt much cooler against Wei Wuxian’s.

Lan Wangji gently pried the omega’s hands off, “Wei Ying I will come back to the nest if you promise to eat a few bites.”

Wei Wuxian stared at him in silence, his body was on fire and the man before was trying to feed him when he should be getting into bed and dousing the flames. He shook his head, trying to pull the alpha back again.

“Please,” Lan Wangji leaned into his neck, placing a kiss above his collar.

Wei Wuxian trembled at the sensation of those cool heavenly lips that kept trailing upward. He turned his head to capture the same lips with his but was met with a mouthful of congee instead.

Lan Wangji looked smug as Wei Wuxian glared at him from around the spoon. Instead of releasing the wooden spoon and swallowing the congee he bit into it, making the wood splinter.

“No, no,” Lan Wangji’s eyes widened, “don’t eat the spoon, Wei Ying, I will definitely not get back into the nest if you eat this spoon.”

The omega grabbed at him again, Lan Wangji took advantage of the movement and pulled out the spoon, swiftly scooping out more congee, offering it to him.

He went to smack it out of his hands again but Lan Wangji was quicker, pushing the spoonful into his mouth again. Wei Wuxian stubbornly swallowed and coughed, clearly not eating properly.

Though it seemed to quench the alpha’s appetite of feeding his omega. The process went on until the bowl was empty and about a gallon of water was forced down the omega’s throat with a battle between them that could rival the Sunshot Campaign.

Eventually, Lan Wangji came back into the nest and his robes were quickly shredded off with the assistance of Wei Wuxian.

Wei Wuxian pinned the alpha down and had his way with him as promised. The alpha’s previous pristine skin was littered with marks thanks to Wei Wuxian and the omega continued to add to the collection.

-

There were moments where Wei Wuxian would be roused by his painful cramps only to roll over and find Lan Wangji soundly sleeping beside him. The sight was so curious to him that he would momentarily forget about his pain. Instead he would opt to watch the alpha sleep.

Lan Wangji’s breathing was even and deep with sleep. Wei Wuxian stared at his long eyelashes, his perfect side profile, the way his hair fanned against the bed.

Rarely the alpha would stir, his all-too-soft-looking lips would part to take a deeper breath in the midst of dreaming.

Wei Wuxian lifted his hand and traced a finger around his face, just above touching the alpha, feeling the soft exhales from his nose.

It was comforting. But not enough to keep the pain from subsiding and allowing their moment of peace. He jostled the other man awake, rubbing his cheek against his neck.

“Lan Zhan,” his voice was raspy, sounding as if he had been battling a cold for weeks.

Lan Wangji pulled Wei Wuxian into an embrace, rolling him over so he was trapped between his arms and pinned to the mattress. His eyes stayed shut.

Wei Wuxian squirmed underneath to get comfortable, pushing himself into a position that straddled the alpha’s leg so his body heat could ebb some of the pain between his legs.

Lan Wangji’s face was turned downward, Wei Wuxian felt his breath brushing his sweaty bangs with a coolness. He shook as he strained upward in the unyielding embrace, kissing each of the alpha’s eyelids.

-

His heat subsided almost as fast as it came on. Granted, it took almost four whole days but he managed to make it through without burning down the Cloud Recesses. A lot of that thanks to Lan Wangji, who he assumed put aside many second crowned princely duties to do so.

When he finally roused to a non-primal and excessively horny mindset he was still wrapped in the arms of the alpha. Between his legs was a horrible ache accompanied by the stickiness of what he assumed was their last session. The alpha was still fast asleep and the room was dark.

For once the air felt comfortable, the fever releasing him. In the dark he could barely make out his stomach bulging in a bloated sort of way, giving him a cute little pot belly. Lan Wangji’s hand was resting against it again, directly over his womb.

A soft reminder of what could come from all these sessions along with the fertile support. He pressed his back against Lan Wangji’s chest and snuggled deeper into the embrace. He was tired but this feeling of being held by Lan Wangji after a week of purging was indescribleable.

Wei Wuxian laid still until the sun rose, Lan Wangji along with it. He listened to his breathing that picked up to a more moderate pace indicating his waking.

Wei Wuxian turned his head to look at the sleep-soft prince, “Lan Zhan.”

Lan Wangji’s smile was small but warm, “You’ve returned to me, Wei Ying.”

Wei Wuxian let out an amused scoff, “Was I that bad?”

His answer was a kiss against his forehead and a mumbled, “No.”

“You say no, but the state of this room and your body says otherwise,” he sighed.

He wasn’t blind to the marks all over Lan Wangji and he vividly remembered their fight prior to his fever. He had bit him, multiple times. His nails had scratched along the prince’s skin and sunk deep enough to puncture his forearm. He spied a few pieces of Lan Wangji’s robes littered throughout the room that were speckled with blood.

Not to mention his own bruised hands and throbbing feet. Wei Wuxian was just as much a mess if not worse looking.

Lan Wangji tugged him closer, “You are nothing I can’t handle, Wei Ying.”

What a dutiful omega I am.

“Your banquet,” he frowned.

“It was handled. Everything is handled.”

“You shouldn’t have been with me for so long after an entire celebration meant for you,” he curled in on himself.

“Do not worry about it,” Lan Wangji reached around and softly pulled his face to look at him.

“And if I remember correctly one of your guards wants to lock me up,” he turned in the embrace, rolling on top of the alpha so their chests were flush against each other.

Lan Wangji raised a hand to push Wei Wuxian’s bangs back which were sticking against his forehead, “That wont happen. There are laws that keep you protected, he will be educated on them thoroughly, I assure you.”

Something made Wei Wuxian think that underhandedly meant the guard was going to get punishment, not just education. Even if he felt that was too severe, Lan Wangji’s mind was set.

He placed his hands just below Lan Wangji’s collar bones and rested his chin on top, “What a proper prince.”

“Mh.”

They were alone. Just like before, they were able to talk to each other without the scrutinization of the court. Lan Wangji was a well-bred prince whose record was flawless and Wei Wuxian had to put in serious arm work to scrub clean his record to even match the prince by less than a quarter.

But they were alone now.

“Lan Zhan,” he pushed his torso up a little and brushed a finger against the other man's chin, “you asked me if I was okay with this ‘assignment’. But what about you? Are you— do you want to…” he sighed, feeling unreasonably embarrassed to ask this question, so he rushed and blurted it out in usual Wei Wuxian fashion, “Lan Zhan, do you want to impregnate me?”

The silence was deafening. The tips of Lan Wangji’s ears turned a deep red as he gaped at the omega’s colorful choice of words.

Wei Wuxian buried his face into Lan Wangji’s chest, annoyed that his confidence had gone so low in the presence of the prince. He used to toy with him relentlessly as teens and now he couldn’t even ask such things when he was just getting pounded into by the very same man.

A hand came up and pet the back of his downturned head.

“Do you think that I don’t?” Lan Wangji finally responded.

Wei Wuxian peeked up, “Well, you didn’t seem happy about it in the throne room.”

“I wasn’t happy about the situation you were being put through,” he sat up, pulling Wei Wuxian with him.

Wei Wuxian straddled his lap, arms wrapped around his neck.

“Wei Ying, you are a tempest. I never thought of you as something to tame once I saw you in battle,” his voice was low as if to conceal their conversation, “I have always been fascinated by you, even when you had to copy all my family percepts in the Library Pavilion.”

“And here I thought you hated me,” he felt breathless.

Lan Wangji rubbed at his sides, “Awestricken.”

Wei Wuxian pressed, “But do you want an heir from me?”

“Yes,” Lan Wangji answered with no hesitation.

He couldn’t deny the elated happiness his heart felt from that confirmation. Perhaps he was getting ahead of himself.

“And what would my life look like, then?” Wei Wuxian whispered, leaning forward so their faces were hovering in front of each other.

Lan Wangji’s eyes flicked to his lips and back to his eyes, “You and our child would be moved into the palace. You alone would have say about their upbringing regardless of my shufu’s ideas.”

Wei Wuxian couldn’t help but let out a laugh at the image that painted, Lan Qiren’s goatee would be twisted in the most irritable way, “I am not fit to raise a Lan.”

“You’ll do wondeful,” Lan Wangji kept the serious tone, “Naturally, any of my children would be considered for the throne but if xiongzhang does produce an heir, ours would be considered second.”

He didn’t like the sound of potentially being the mother of the next succession.

“And my status as a cultivator?” He asked, just to see if he really was a pretty trophy and an attempt at changing the subject of the mind-boggling situation he never thought he’d be in.

Lan Wangji raised his eyebrows, “Your status remains intact. If you wanted to teach courses-“

Wei Wuxian covered Lan Wangji’s mouth, “Never mind this is a lot less appealing to talk about when we’re both naked.”

Lan Wangji’s eyes had a hint of amusement. He wrapped his arms around Wei Wuxian’s waist.

His subject change was successful at least. But he was fearful of giving Lan Wangji the wrong notion— it was a dream to have a child with this man but he selfishly wanted Lan Xichen to take responsibility for giving the empire his own heir.

The idea of his own blood being responsible for an entire nation was irksome. He didn’t even trust himself with watching over other people's kids.

But out of all the alphas in his life to be potential suitors, Lan Wangji was the only one he’d remotely thought of as fitting.

Even after studies abruptly ended at the Cloud Recesses he thought of him. He even considered him a friend, though the prince showed no interest in him. He talked about him with jiejie and Jiang Cheng a multitude of times the following seasons as a teen.

Offering to carry him on his back during the midst of the Wen-Clan’s rotten son years later, which Lan Wangji denied. Being trapped in a cave with the most respectable, somewhat boring, alpha who he’d fought alongside and faced no judgement in those golden eyes afterward. And the pit in his stomach he pushed aside after never hearing from him for years.

Then facing each other in camps when the Sunshot Campaign began. Each unsure if the same people they’d seen that day would return at night. Their entire demeanors changed as they grew, Wei Wuxian no longer as jest, and Lan Wangji becoming burdened with more responsibilities during war. The mark of a bloodstain on their upbringings.

The darkness in his eyes when Lan Wangji realized how tainted Wei Wuxian’s golden core had gotten when he desperately started cultivating a different path to protect the people he loved. The horror in his eyes at seeing him command the dead to tear apart the living. The power that would consume him should he continue.

And how tired he had looked after the Sunshot Campaign’s end. How terrified Lan Wangji seemed after the empire demanded Wei Wuxian destroy his most infamous invention. When Wei Wuxian walked into the Burial Mounds after it all on a suicide mission to destroy the regretful Yin Tiger Tally that threatened to demolish cities if left unchecked. The same tally that won the war but scared the cultivation world, and Wei Wuxian’s responsibility to potentially lose his life in the destruction of it because he alone created it. He alone commanded it, until its energy began to become uncontrollable.

The same tally whose force has indulged itself into Wei Wuxian’s reputation and blood. It was his duty to destroy the thing that tainted him.

The disappointment he felt when he came back, beaten, bruised, and half alive. Feeling worse than that when he realized he couldn’t find those golden eyes in the crowds awaiting him. The urge he felt to chase that shadow even at death's door.

The months following after and the letter that the Jiang Clan had gotten, requesting they gift Wei Wuxian specifically as they wanted unclaimed, unengaged, omegas from every clan.

He thought of Lan Wangji every single time. No other alpha was on his mind as much as Lan Wangji was.

Lan Wangji was all he knew.

But prior to that letter, the alpha was out of reach. He was a target of Wei Wuxian’s confusing youthful emotions. He was a prince Wei Wuxian enjoyed getting a reaction out of, never quite realizing it was a crush. Never thinking it could be more.

And now he had him in his arms. The road to this moment felt dark and untamed but holding the only alpha he ever thought could match him suppressed the ill-fated throne room encounter. Lan Wangji was not the one to make the orders, and try as he might it would have been punishment for them both had he stopped it. They have been through hell and back together, even if it wasn’t realized at the time.

“Why have you never kissed me?” Wei Wuxian whispered as he came back to the present, dropping his hand from the same lips he craved.

The prince parted his lips to respond when a pounding knock came from the front door.

Wei Wuxian deflated.

“Your highness!” A distant voice called from behind the door, one Wei Wuxian actually did recognize as the second crown prince's advisor.

Lan Wangji hugged Wei Wuxian to his chest and rumbled a response, “What is it?”

“Your presence is requested urgently for the matter of rising conflicts in the North. Your top generals have already gathered in the war room,” the advisor responded.

“Perfect timing,” Wei Wuxian whispered disappointingly and then looked up at Lan Wangji, “Go.”

Lan Wangji stroked a hand along his cheek, “I will return to you tonight.”

Wei Wuxian laughed softly, “Don’t promise me plans you cannot keep. You will be busy. Go.”

The prince didn’t seem happy about that response but pressed his lips against his consort's forehead, the remaining question heavy in the air between them.

Wei Wuxian pried himself off of the alpha and mourned the loss of contact. He pulled a sheet up to cover himself and protect some form of propriety while watching Lan Wangji change into a set of robes specifically left at Wei Wuxian’s residence for when the prince visited.

He hoped the prince's servants could cover the marks he’d left around his neck. Aside from the many bruises and bite marks, the prince looked as perfect and put together as always.

Lan Wangji turned to look at the omega one more time, “Tonight.”

Wei Wuxian only nodded, “Go.”

The first order of business after Lan Wangji’s inevitable departure was a bath. He had cleaned Wei Wuxian to the best of his abilities while the omega stubbornly refused to leave the nest. He was impressed at how much Lan Wangji did manage to take care of him during his heat.

While he started to heat his own water a nervous Wen Ning knocked on the front door, sliding it open, “Young master?”

Wei Wuxian completely forgot about his harsh words toward his poor friend. Wen Ning stood awkwardly in the main room, looking at the state of the residence and how chaotic it was. Glass still sparkled on the floor, bedding and curtains were shredded, the poor main room table was flipped and completely scratched up.

“Wen Ning,” he greeted, “I’m— hey, I’m sorry I yelled at you—“

“No need to apologize,” Wen Ning cut him off, “you gave me an order and I didn’t listen. If you think punishment is in order then I will gladly take all of the lashings.”

Wei Wuxian’s eyes widened, “What the hell are you talking about Wen Ning?”

“Noble Consort Jin has said that any servant that disobeys their master will receive however many lashings their master sees fit…”

Wei Wuxian snorted, “Wen Ning I would take those lashes for you. I am not going to order any punishment.”

Wen Ning looked like he was going to cry.

Wei Wuxian sighed, “Look, I was essentially going crazy, okay? Nothing I have ever said in my heats has ever made sense and that was your first time seeing me so… mean. Wen Ning you did good.”

“I did good?” He asked meekly.

Wei Wuxian smiled reassuringly, “Very. Now help me prepare this bath. I'm exhausted. And sticky. And very, very fucking sore.”

Wen Ning turned pink and quickly took over.

Wei Wuxian grimaced as he laid down across the clean bedding of the bathroom luohan chuang. He needed to start taking something for soreness because this was ridiculous. Maybe he was out of practice for too long, Lan Wangji was always so rough with him contrary to everyone's soft, gentlemanly ideas of the second crown prince. He was a menace in bed.

More knocking came from his front door and he swore under his breath, “I’m going to get rid of that damn door.”

Much to his relief, and his bad memory of how Wen Ning was supposed to get the door, as he made a move to get up Wen Ning swept past. He opened the door to an abundance of palace staff.

“Consort Wei Wuxian,” a maid he recognized from the day of the banquet bowed to him, “we have been summoned to clean the residence.”

“Ah, good. Please, have at it,” he stood in the doorway of the bathroom and swept a hand across the area, too tired to be more pleasant.

At least Wen Ning didn’t have to worry about picking up this mess after being terrified of returning to his master’s fury.

He waited for Wen Ning to walk back into the bathroom and slid the door shut to conceal them away from the rest of the unknown staff.

“Where did Noble Consort Jin place you while I was… unservable?” He asked.

Wen Ning rubbed soap into the bath to make bubbles. Wei Wuxian appreciated the small gesture.

“She kept me with some of her own servants who started to teach me how to handle palace children.”

Wei Wuxian coughed and it hurt his abdomen, “Huh?”

Wen Ning looked up, “I didn’t think it was a bad idea. I actually enjoyed myself.”

He laughed aloud, "She's quite certain of herself then.”

“It is a good thing,” he said while walking over to take Wei Wuxian’s robes, “if you and his highness do have a child, wouldn’t you prefer me over the rest of the staff to watch over them?”

Wei Wuxian fell silent, staring at the bubbly water while Wen Ning took off his upper robes.

“I’m sorry, young master, maybe I mispoke-“

“No, no. It isn’t that,” he looked toward him, “I’m just surprised she gave you and I that option. I guess I never thought about that…”

Wen Ning finished disrobing him. Wei Wuxian managed to walk to the bath himself. He dipped his hair back into the soapy water and started to clean out all the sweat and grime.

“I think she does favor you,” Wen Ning said.

Wei Wuxian shrugged, “Maybe. But I think it’s more about keeping me happy. Especially if I am going to have more of a voice around here soon.”

“Soon…” Wen Ning lit up, “Wait really? You’re okay with having the second crown princes’ baby?”

Wei Wuxian laughed as he watched Wen Ning practically jump for joy, “I don’t have a choice but I guess I wouldn’t mind. Or maybe I’m just heat-hungover. Can you stop bouncing around? They’re going to think we’re up to something in here.”

“You two will make the most lovely baby,” Wen Ning did not stop bouncing, walking around to grab more bathing supplies and a brush for Wei Wuxian’s hair. “I always liked kids. I had a few younger cousins but never a baby to hold. Jiejie only saw adult alpha’s so it was pretty boring.”

“You know you’re the only one to say it like that,” Wei Wuxian thought out loud while Wen Ning bounced about.

“Like what?” He started brushing at the ends of Wei Wuxian’s hair.

“Like I’m supposed to have a baby. Not a ward, or an heir, or a duty. You make it sound softer. A baby…”

“Well, that’s what your child will be first, a baby,” he struggled with a thick nested knot at the nape of his neck.

Wei Wuxian smiled to himself despite the painful pulls, “I like that...”

Wen Ning kept babbling excitedly, “I will start making you seaweed soup. It’s extra good for pregnancy and full of nutrients. I’m sure Noble Consort Jin will allow it for your meal plan. Oh, and we’ll have to send in requests to the palace for a crib… Do you want a rocking chair?”

Wei Wuxian blinked a few times, “You’re really thinking ahead here.”

“Sorry, I should stop,” he finally managed to untangle the knot.

“No, it’s fine, really. It’s nice having someone excited about such trivial things when the rest of the world is just waiting on me to pop out a whole human.”

“I’m positive miss Jiang Yanli would be more than supportive,” Wen Ning said.

He finally relaxed the back of his head against the bathtub’s rim, pursing his lips, “Of course she would be. She loves to dote on me, can you imagine her with a smaller me?”

“Oh, and baby clothes! You would need celebration robes, maternity robes, even new boots,” Wen Ning nodded to himself.

Wei Wuxian rolled his eyes, “Alright, alright. You will be well prepared, I get it. But I’m not pregnant right now.”

“Have you been checked?” Wen Ning asked.

“No. We haven’t slept together for weeks. Not until now. I haven’t had a reason to be examined, and when we did sleep together I wasn’t on any fertility support.”

His servant looked him over, “If I may?”

Wei Wuxian groaned but offered his wrist, “I’m not.”

Wen Ning took his wrist in his hands and placed his index and middle fingers against his pulse, reading the beats.

“Young master, please relax. You’re holding your breath.”

“Oh, sorry.”

He held as still as possible, trying to relax as told.

“You’re not,” Wen Ning let go, “not yet at least.”

Wei Wuxian smirked and pulled his wrist back, trying not to feel the twinge of disappointment that rolled into his chest, “Told ya. Now please go check if the Palace Parade is done cleaning out there, I really want to sleep.”

The lovingly nicknamed Palace Parade had just finished, making his residence appear spotless and as if nothing had ever conspired here. He was pleased to see new sheets on his bed, though he somewhat missed the nest he haphazardly threw together. The scent of sandalwood no longer lingered in the air, much to his displeasure. But he was exhausted and knew he would be asleep fast enough to forget that longing.

After a very bland meal and an abundance of much needed water consumption he jumped right into bed and curled up, pulling the fresh sheets up to his chin. The new pillows were fluffier than the last ones and he was not about to complain.

It was nearly midnight when he felt a warm palm against his cheek. He blearily squinted into the dark.

“Mmh, look at you keeping promises,” he whispered across the stretch of night between them.

Lan Wangji looked uncertain and like he was terrified of rejection, “Is this permitted?”

Wei Wuxian sighed sleepily and sat up, pulling the second crown prince back into his bed and receiving a taste of the domestic life he always craved.

Chapter Text

It had been three weeks of Lan Wangji spending nights at Wei Wuxian’s residence within the palace.

He never called on the consort but instead trekked his way from whatever godawful meeting he was in and crawled into Wei Wuxian’s bed no matter the time. They hardly ever shared meals, and when they did Lan Wangji would continuously correct Wei Wuxian’s posture. Sometimes Wei Wuxian would lean over the table and pluck whatever food was on the table between them and make the alpha eat from his chopsticks, just to see the blush rise onto Lan Wangji’s face.

They spent a lot more evenings not sleeping these days. Wei Wuxian suddenly taking a very keen interest in his duties to the throne.

He still never got his kiss, and had never pushed the subject since, scared of ruining a moment. Lan Wangji was his first, well, everything. But maybe in some new Lan Clan percept they engraved the rule of No Kissing Before Marriage after his time spent as a student.

Studies with Noble Consort Jin continued regularly once Lan Wangji departed, sometimes even while he was still there. Noble Consort Jin would pull Wei Wuxian from his bedroom and sit him down in front of the main room’s table and make him crack open the next volume of Omega Consort’s 101.

Maybe that wasn’t the exact name of the book but it stuck in Wei Wuxian’s head.

It had gotten harder to focus, the omega’s mind always drifting to Lan Wangji whenever the books mentioned cycles. Or sex. Or conceiving. Frankly, he was just horribly horny these days and couldn’t be arsed to care about much else.

“Focus, Consort Wei Wuxian,” Noble Consort Jin scolded him one afternoon and she tapped at the page with her overly-jeweled nails.

Wei Wuxian looked up at her blearily, “If I focus any more I may just keel over.”

She shook her head, amused, “You need to get more sleep.”

“That’s treason, Noble Consort Jin.”

“My, look at how much you’ve retained,” she smirked and tapped his chin with one long jeweled nail.

He scoffed a laugh, “I’m a good learner. I just get bored quickly. There isn’t much more to cram into my head about our gender, is there? We’re just horny things with validation kinks.”

She blinked, “You make us sound so simple.”

“Well, of course there's more to it than that. But getting down to the basics, ya know? I do admit most of this information is important. Like I had no idea we theres tiers of tearing during birth-“

“That’s what you’ve remembered?” She laughed aloud, “You are a glutton for pain.”

“I just think it’s interesting, that's all! Maybe I can invent some sort of numbing cream or dilator to help stretch the vulva…” He began to ponder while Noble Consort Jin looked at him as if he had gone crazy.

“Maybe you are going to keel over,” she sighed, placing her face in her hands.

He slammed his hand onto the table, “Has anyone invented-“

“Ah!” She raised her hand and stopped him, “No more rambling. Keep reading.”

He puffed his cheeks and turned his head back down to the sections that covered birthing tools, flipping through the drawings of what looked like torture devices.

It was nice having Noble Consort Jin over. Since the end of the banquet the concubine council meetings had been few and far between which seemed to give her more peace of mind and a less stressed approach toward tutoring the wiley omega. It was also just nice that Wei Wuxian could explore the palace more.

He had discovered a lot more locations since giving the Cloud Recesses a less jail cell approach. He tried not to act like a prisoner and actually explored the newer parts of the palace. He even visited the meadow with a handful of carrots one day, just to pass the time. And maybe had fallen asleep in the meadow making poor Wen Ning drag him back, but it was only one time!

Lan Wangji never tried to talk politics to Wei Wuxian anymore. He felt like that was his fault after basically insulting the man's small talk tendencies. It wasn’t that he wanted to talk politics, but he did wish to know what the state of the empire looked like outside of the palace gates.

And soon he would. Tomorrow they were to depart from the palace and make their two day trek to Lotus Pier to meet with the Jiang Clan of Yunmeng and discuss their requests from the palace. Which he knew nothing about. Again, politics were kept a secret from this consort.

He was head over heels about meeting the fresh Jin Ling and seeing his jiejie in all her motherly glow.

Visiting in autumn was less than ideal, though. Lotus Pier always looked and thrived best in the summer when the lakes and lotus’ were in full glory. And the food vendors on the streets may not have as many of the snacks he craved, and desperately wanted to feed to Lan Zhan, some of which were seasonal to the summertime.

Just thinking of their visit made his mouth water.

Noble Consort Jin closed the heavy book on his hand. He yelped and cradled his hand like she had chopped it off, looking at her with utmost betrayal.

“What was that for?” He whined.

“If you want to daydream and drool maybe don’t do it on my lecture material,” she scowled.

“Ah-I’m sorry. We’re leaving for Yunmeng tomorrow and I’m just really excited,” he smiled to himself.

“I’m well aware of your trip,” she crossed her arms, tucking them into her sleeves and leaning back with grace, “and we have a few things we must discuss before your departure.”

He nodded, “I figured,” then he put on a mock serious tone, “Consort Wei Wuxian will be representing the Lan Clan throughout his travels in the neighboring cities. The esteemed second crown prince must be spared any embarrassment and if thou consort fails, he will be sent to the chopping block.”

Noble Consort Jin lifted an eyebrow, “Are you proposing I sentence you to death if you mutter one word out of place? Because if so, I’m afraid you’ll be chopped not even two steps out the gate.”

He snorted, “Too harsh?”

“A tad,” she took in a breath, “but no. It isn’t about your behavior but your studies. The whole point was to get you ready to bear a child.”

“Yes. And we have studied diligently together. I know every anatomical section of the reproductive system like the back of my hand,” he smirked.

“As you should. But what I’m trying to imply is that this is your home now. Even if you don’t chose to see it that way. Being away for too long could put you into distress when you’re… preparing your body.”

He nodded, “I remember those studies. Truthfully, I have accepted this duty now more than I thought I would be able to. I think traveling with Lan Zhan is going to ease that distress.”

Noble Consort Jin let the intimate address go, “If you believe that, then I will not argue. I will make sure your servant packs your attire and necessities accordingly.”

He genuinely smiled at her, “Hey, you actually do care about me, huh?”

She side eyed him, “About as much as a street cat.”

“Some people really adore those invasive things!” He teased.

“An ‘invasive thing’ is the perfect way to describe you, Consort Wei Wuxian.”

He could see the corners of her lips fighting the urge to lift into a smile. He took it as a victory and stayed quiet, lifting a cup of tea to his lips and tried to busy himself with tidying up the table, stacking the books back up.

“And Consort Wei Wuxian?” She called him.

“Mm?” He looked back at her.

“Do enjoy yourself.”

-

Later in the evening Wen Ning had started preparing his supper after finishing up packing his master's items for the trip. Wei Wuxian was digging through his received letters from the Jin and Jiang clan each. He had already studied the letters like lifelines when he received them but he just wanted to be sure he was caught up on every affair and relationship the writers sent.

“Young master,” Wen Ning called as he set the table up with steamed vegetable buns and egg drop soup.

Wei Wuxian glanced at the food, feeling a little queasy at the idea of eating in general, “Yeah?”

“Have you thought of how you want to address giving your fertility injections during this trip?” He put a set of chopsticks down next to an empty plate.

Wei Wuxian thought about it for a moment. His family had to know he was being injected for such things, Jiang Cheng had a massive mouth and there was no way he didn’t blurt it out during an argument with Jiang-shufu in some feeble attempt at proving some fruitless point. But it wasn’t like he wanted them to see the process. Not that it hurt, but it did make him feel a little less human. Like his body didn’t meet the necessary requirement to be an omega.

“We will just have to find private moments. It isn’t like they don’t know, and Lan Zhan is just as aware. Perhaps in the mornings when I’m getting dressed,” he answered.

Wen Ning nodded, “The imperial physician sent two injections and a week's worth of the tonics. I have set them aside in a different bag to make sure they’re not rifled through or damaged.”

Wei Wuxian got up and headed to the table, kneeling against the cushion on the floor in front of his plate. Even if he felt like vomiting at the mere sight of the food, Wen Ning would threaten him with tears if he didn’t eat. And throwing up sounded a lot better than comforting a crying servant.

He picked up a bun and began to nibble on it. Wen Ning walked to the sink and started to wash the pots and pans he used to prepare tonight's meal.

“Do you think Jin Ling will like me?” He suddenly blurted.

Wen Ning paused, “Why would he not?”

Wei Wuxian put the bun down and leaned against the table, “I don’t know. I always loved teaching the baby Jiang disciples but a lot of them just liked to play with me. I didn’t think about making myself good with kids because I never expected to have any. What if he just thinks I’m a blubbering and helpless fool? Kids are smart.”

Wen Ning smiled and picked up another pan, “He’s not even a year old yet, young master. And you’re not a blubbering helpless fool, you are smart and dignified and still one of the strongest cultivators. Jin Ling will look up to you one day, I’m sure.”

He sighed dramatically, “He’ll look up to me? Maybe if I was still cultivating. I’m basically doing nothing now.”

“Nothing?” Wen Ning started drying the same pan, “You have one of the highest clearances in the empire right now.”

Wei Wuxian snorted, “A young boy is not going to think being a consort is cool.”

“Miss Jiang Yanli is raising him, young master. She will teach him just how ‘cool’ that is. And the future is not set, you may not be just a consort forever.”

Wei Wuxian absentmindedly picked up one of his chopsticks and started tapping it against the table, “If you’re suggesting Lan Zhan proposes to me I’d call you insane.”

“Why would Wen Ning be insane?” Lan Wangji’s voice came from behind him in the front door entryway.

Wei Wuxian’s spine prickled upward like a feline, immediately turning red in the face.

Wen Ning turned to bow, an almost inaudible snicker could be heard coming from the servant, “Your highness.”

Wei Wuxian turned toward him and bowed as well, if not just to hide his face.

Lan Wangji closed the door behind him, leaving the guards outside to stand post as they always did when he stayed the night at Fake Lotus Pier. His face was still an even shade, indicating he definitely did not hear the beginning of Wei Wuxian’s sentence, otherwise he would be just as red as Wei Wuxian.

Wen Ning quickly set a few more buns and another bowl of soup beside Wei Wuxian’s spot at the table. He always prepared to feed more than just Wei Wuxian, for rare moments the second crown prince did have meals with him.

Lan Wangji took his spot at the table and brushed a hand across the side of Wei Wuxian’s face, lifting his chin to look at him, “Eat.”

It was a gentle command but Wei Wuxian still frowned. He picked up his chopsticks again and popped an entire bun into his mouth, his stomach churning.

Lan Wangji graced him with a soft smile that made the suffering of a queasy stomach ease.

Lan Wangji turned the tables on Wei Wuxian tonight, picking up a spoon full of soup and offering it to Wei Wuxian much like he did with the congee during his dreadful heat. Wei Wuxian eyed the spoon and then eyed the prince.

“I can feed myself, Lan Zhan,” he frowned.

“You’re not taking your food in silence and arguing with your servant,” Lan Wangji rebuked him gently.

“I- Wen Ning was spouting nonsense! And besides, I don’t feel well,” he pouted in defense.

Lan Wangji put the spoon back down into the soup and lifted a hand to place against Wei Wuxian’s forehead, nudging his unruly bangs aside, “You don’t have a fever.”

“I think it was from this morning's breakfast and the mixture of learning step-by-step birthing methods. You really don’t know the meaning of pain until you study fifty omega’s birth’s,” he muttered.

Lan Wangji blinked, “Fifty?”

“Fifty!” Wei Wuxian confirmed, “Say, Lan Zhan, did you know my entire bottom half is going to tear when I pop out your heir?”

Lan Wangji looked taken aback, “…Tear?”

“Yeah! Like, I’m going to totally rip down there-“

Wen Ning cleared his throat and banged a pot against another on ‘accident’. Wei Wuxian realized how improper he was being.

“Sorry, that isn’t appropriate dinner talk,” Wei Wuxian took Lan Wangji’s hand, “How was your day?”

“You’re not supposed to talk during meals,” Lan Wangji pointed out.

Wei Wuxian enjoyed moments where Lan Wangji actually sass’d back. It was rare but always entertaining and he was finding this rare moment far too sexy for what they were discussing.

“When have I ever listened?” He smirked, leaning over and brushing his nose against the alpha’s neck.

Lan Wangji froze, the sudden intimate scenario coming as a shock. Wei Wuxian was normally proper enough to leave this sort of gesture behind closed doors and not in front of his servant. His scent had spiked fast.

Wei Wuxian scooted closer, breathing in the alpha’s scent while still holding his hand. He placed his hand against his chest and Lan Wangji put his own hand on the omega’s waist, coaxing him back to the food.

“At least eat what you can and we can discuss your rule breaking in privacy.”

Wei Wuxian felt a little dejected, “Fine.”

He picked up a bun and started to nibble again, oblivious to both his servant and Lan Wangji’s exasperation.

“Your highness, I prepared Consort Wei Wuxian’s bags earlier this evening. They are ready to be packed in the morning which I will attend to myself. Are there any requests you have of me?” Wen Ning tried changing the subject.

Lan Wangji wasn’t eating, not yet. So it wasn’t rule breaking, and he could tell the alpha was lost on what to do after managing to get his omega to eat so he sent him a lifeline of discussing travel plans.

The second crown prince looked at Wen Ning, “My own servants have everything prepared. Thank you for your offer, Wen Ning. I only request you keep a watchful eye on Wei Ying’s items, we will have frequent stops so he can stretch his legs. I wouldn’t want anything to get lost.”

Wen Ning nodded, “Of course, your highness.”

After Wei Wuxian managed to eat all five buns and half the soup he sauntered to the bedroom, his hands entwined into both of Lan Wangji’s. He guided him while walking backwards, “Can we finally discuss my punishment for breaking so many Lan Clan rules?”

Lan Wangji kept an eye on where Wei Wuxian was walking, making sure the omega didn’t run into or trip on anything in the process of recklessly walking backwards, “You’re currently breaking one now. No walking backwards.”

Wei Wuxian snorted as he let go of one of Lan Wangji’s hands, blindly fussing with the sliding door to open. When he successfully won the battle against the door he pulled them both in, turning Lan Wangji’s back toward the bed. He skillfully closed the door with his bare foot and pressed his hands against Lan Wangji, this time making the alpha walk backward.

“And now you are too,” he purred, pushing the alpha back until his legs came into contact with the mattress.

“Wei Ying,” Lan Wangji put his hands against the other man's hips, he lifted him up and Wei Wuxian’s legs instantly wrapped around his waist in response.

He turned the tables again, crawling onto the bed with Wei Wuxian still tangled around him.

“So?” Wei Wuxian breathed out, rolling his lower half against Lan Wangji’s body, “What does the second crown prince see fit for my punishment?”

He hovered just above Lan Wangji’s face, lips brushing but never pressed together.

“Perhaps I should have you recite the Lan Clan precepts again. This time while bound to the bed frame and at my disposal,” Lan Wangji whispered.

“Is that a promise?” Wei Wuxian smirked, running his fingers through the black waterfall of hair in his hands.

“Just a suggestion,” he mused.

Wei Wuxian pouted and lowered his head into the alpha’s neck, playfully licking at his pulse, “Can I do something for you?”

Lan Wangji pulled back to look at him, the omega sounding shy for a moment, “What is it?”

Wei Wuxian gave him a sultry smile, untangling his legs from around the alpha’s waist and laying him backward with his hands, “Can I borrow your ribbon?”

Lan Wangji frowned, “Wei Ying.”

He sighed dramatically, “Fine. I’ll just… I’ll use this!”

Wei Wuxian pulled out a piece of cloth that is traditionally used to tie off packaged lunches. How he had it in his possession was a subject for another day.

Lan Wangji stared at him a little apprehensive, “What exactly do you want to do with that?”

Wei Wuxian smiled a smile that meant he was up to something, “Do you trust me?”

“More than anything,” Lan Wangji softly confirmed.

It took Wei Wuxian back for a second. He didn’t expect an affirming answer to be given so fast, let alone heartfelt. This was supposed to be hot.

Wei Wuxian gathered back up his courage and leaned forward, placing the tie around Lan Wangji’s eyes and tying it off at the back of his head to make a makeshift blindfold.

He kissed the blindfold first, then came down to his chest and started disrobing the alpha. He kissed his chest next, down to his unfairly defined abdomen. He took his pants between his fingers and stripped them down until the alpha was the only one disrobed. Wei Wuxian practically purred at the sight, running his fingers down the other man's legs.

“Lan Zhan, you are so unreasonably hot,” he whispered more so for himself.

Lan Wangji was obediently still for an alpha being stripped and blinded, proving his word of trust.

Wei Wuxian kissed his hips and inner thighs, breathing in the most fragrant part of Lan Wangji’s scent. Then he took him into his mouth, swallowing the man whole.

Lan Wangji’s breath hitched, resisting the urge to thrust up into Wei Wuxian’s mouth.

Wei Wuxian put his hands against the alpha’s hips and dug his nails into them, he bobbed his head up and down, utterly enthralled with the taste and feeling of Lan Wangji inside his mouth. He looked up through his long eyelashes, observing Lan Wangji’s face and how desperate he was trying to control himself.

Wei Wuxian couldn’t take it. He pulled off of Lan Wangji and gave his erect member a long lick up the shaft, pumping him with his hand.

“Lan Zhan,” he called with a sensual tone, “don’t hold back for me. I want you to use me, you’re supposed to be punishing me, not yourself.”

Lan Wangji’s hands gripped the bedsheets and crumpled them between. His breath was rigid and short.

Wei Wuxian returned his mouth back to action. Lan Wangji did not hesitate, putting his hands to the back of Wei Wuxian’s head and keeping him still as he thrusted upward.

The head hit the back of Wei Wuxian’s throat and he felt his eyes water, forcing back a gag. He kept his tongue in action and put his hands beneath Lan Wangji’s rising legs.

Lan Wangji was persistent, his hand gripping the back of Wei Wuxian’s hair as the omega made passionate noises that only made the alpha thrust harder. Wei Wuxian felt the blatant wetness between his own legs form, craving to satisfy the member inside his mouth next.

His jaw and throat were beginning to ache but the way Lan Wangji was losing control made it easy enough to ignore the pain. He was crying at this point, forcing the member further down his throat and swallowing the man whole. Lan Wangji let out a heedless growl and spilled down Wei Wuxian’s throat.

Wei Wuxian selfishly swallowed all of his seed and slid his mouth off of Lan Wangji with a slick pop before his rising knot could restrain him.

He crawled back up the panting alpha and continued to play with his knotted cock, kissing the curve of his neck, whispering into his ear, “Was that okay, Lan Zhan?”

Lan Wangji’s hands rested at Wei Wuxian’s still fully clothed hips, recovering from the shocking encounter, “It is better you blindfolded me for that. If I saw how you looked I wouldn’t have had much more control.”

Wei Wuxian gasped, “Then next time we ixnay the blindfold. I want you to take full advantage of me. Every single part.”

Lan Wangji’s grip tightened and Wei Wuxian was desperately waiting for his knot to go down. He needed him inside.

“Mmh,” Wei Wuxian needlessly moaned to continue the teasing game, “you’re so good to me Lan Zhan. Always making sure I’m full, both of food and your seed. You treat me so rough in bed but guess what? I love it.”

He trailed more wet kisses along the alpha’s jaw.

“Wei Ying,” Lan Wangji’s groan sounded painful.

“I can’t wait to give you your children,” Wei Wuxian whispered into his ear again, “don’t you want that, hm? A successful breeding. Imagine me pregnant with your child.”

Lan Wangji’s hands were restless, he started blindly untying Wei Wuxian’s sash.

“We’d make the most beautiful Lan babies,” Wei Wuxian smiled against Lan Wangji’s ear, “but for now it’s just us. And I want more of you.”

“Wei Ying,” Lan Wangji repeated.

“Hm? What is it, Lan Zhan?” He murmured.

“You would look utterly divine carrying my children.”

Wei Wuxian smiled against the side of Lan Wangji’s head, his hand still casually stroking him, “Then let’s fulfill the prophecy.”

He felt Lan Wangji twitch between his hands. The alpha’s movements were fast and almost feverish as he made quick work of stripping all Wei Wuxian, aside from the cinnabar collar. Soon they were equally nude and one still completely blind.

The knot had finally gone down and Wei Wuxian was about to thank the heavens when Lan Wangjj grabbed him by the hips and pulled him onto his lap, making the omega straddle him once again.

Wei Wuxian had no problem positioning himself and inserting Lan Wangji inside. He hissed a little on his way down, watching as the cock disappeared completely.

“Fuck,” he cried out, “you feel so good, Lan Zhan.”

Lan Wangji was properly blindfolded but still managed to find the parts of Wei Wuxian’s shoulders that peeked out from under the collar, leaving small bites here and there as Wei Wuxian set an even pace. His hands rested on Wei Wuxian’s underside which bounced, cradling him to give him some support and not make it so he’s the only one getting a leg workout.

Wei Wuxian for his part was lost in bliss, enjoying his freeform of choice. He tilted his head back, making all the actions below him increase in sensation somehow. Lan Wangji’s hands then moved to support his omega’s back, claws accidentally leaving not unwanted scratch marks while the omega moved.

“Good boy,” Wei Wuxian praised, pulling himself back upward to hover over Lan Wangji’s lips while continuing his pace, “you fit so well inside of me. You’re the only one who's ever been inside of me, you know that?” Wei Wuxian pressed his lips to the center of Lan Wangji’s brow, “I’ll never crave anyone else. You’re the only alpha who will ever please me.”

Lan Wangji reached up and grabbed at his face, pulling him down and placing a kiss against his lips for the first time.

Wei Wuxian froze in his touch, nearly frightened of the motion. It was ridiculous to be scared of a kiss when the one kissing you had been inside of you more times than you could count, and yet here he was. Feeling like this was more intimate than sucking off his alpha moments ago.

A tongue snaked past Wei Wuxian’s lips and pushed into his mouth. Naturally, Wei Wuxian met it with his own and deepened the kiss, pressing his chest flush to Lan Wangji’s. He moaned into the kiss and practically knocked Lan Wangji onto his back, trying to turn them into one being.

His arms wrapped around the other man's neck, curving his back and picking up the pace of his hips. Lan Wangji was growing inside of him, a sensation that only made him more starved.

Lan Wangji pushed back in the kiss but otherwise let Wei Wuxian take control of the entire situation, letting the omega use him for once.

Wei Wuxian pulled away from the kiss with a gasp for air, “Lan Zhan.”

He looked down at the blindfolded alpha whose lips were swollen and a beautiful shade of red. Wei Wuxian sighed with frustration and ripped the blindfold off, revealing the cool golden eyes he needed to look at.

Lan Wangji looked up at him with adoration, the deepest affections lingered in his eyes.

Wei Wuxian paused and leaned downward, placing a timid kiss against the very same lips that took his breath away. Lan Wangji lifted a hand and left it resting behind Wei Wuxian’s messy hair, the other gently trailing circles against the planes of his bare back.

He pulled back and looked down with wet eyes.

Lan Wangji frowned, “Wei Ying, why are you crying? Did I hurt you?”

Wei Wuxian blinked back tears, “No, no, no. Never. I just-“

He swallowed hard. How does he admit that he never thought that he could be happy when he was so determined to dread this life ages ago? That with Lan Wangji returning to him every night made it enough? That even while unbonded to this alpha he was all he could think about?

A tear slipped past his eyes and onto Lan Wangji’s cheek. He sat them up again and pulled Wei Wuxian into a tight embrace while they were still connected. Wei Wuxian couldn’t help the sob that came from his lips and rattled his chest.

“You’re okay, you’re safe,” Lan Wangji whispered into the crown of his head.

Wei Wuxian shrunk into the alpha’s embrace and felt the sheets pull up over his back, protecting him from the cold chill, his legs still squeezing around his waist.

“Lan Zhan, why did you kiss me?” He sniffled.

Lan Wangji’s hand continued to rub protective circles around the omega’s back, “It was a good moment to do so.”

Wei Wuxian let out a wet laugh, “You mean to tell me… You haven’t kissed me because there was never a good time to?”

He felt Lan Wangji nod with a, “Mh.”

He pulled back and stared at him, his eyes still completely red and face a snotty mess, “You’re serious?”

Lan Wangji brought his hand around and wiped away the tears, “Mh.”

Wei Wuxian blinked and sucked in much needed air, “All the times we have laid in bed together… Now is the good moment?”

Lan Wangji looked confused, “Did you not want me to?”

Wei Wuxian could shake the alpha, “I’ve been wanting you to!”

“Then what is the issue?” He asked honestly.

Wei Wuxian laughed at his aloof alpha and pressed his lips against his again, multiple times with dramatic ‘muah’s’ to accompany each touch.

Lan Wangji looked utterly adorable receiving this treatment. Wei Wuxian grabbed his cheeks and kissed his eyelids, chin, forehead, cheeks, lips.

Lan Wangji actually laughed, “Wei Ying, Wei Ying-“

Wei Wuxian pulled back with a giant smile, “Lan Zhan.”

“You’re okay?” He asked in the brief moment of air.

“More than. Ecstatic, elated, overjoyed,” he confirmed with a light voice.

Lan Wangji brushed his hair back, “You're sure?”

He nodded excitedly and wiggled his hips, making Lan Wangji groan a little, clearly forgetting they were connected, “Positive.”

He planted his hands on his sides again, steadying the euphoric omega and keeping him still, “Wei Ying-“

“Let me finish,” Wei Wuxian whispered and leaned forward to capture his lips again.

He grinded against him, burying his hands into Lan Wangji’s hair. He bounced faster, moaning into the kiss, their tongues meeting once more as he explored how deep a kiss could go.

Lan Wangji growled in pleasure while Wei Wuxian continued to dive, pushing him past his limits. He gripped the nape of the alpha’s neck and used his other hand to bring the alpha’s hand between them, pressing his fingers to where they were conjoined.

The alpha got the hint, beginning to rub exactly where Wei Wuxian wanted. The moan that escaped his lips made him pull back, feeling himself climax.

Lan Wangji put his hands against Wei Wuxian’s shoulder blades and led him back against the mattress while he rode out his climax. Lan Wangjj kept thrusting into the overstimulated omega who let out soft cries. He crushed their lips together to force silence, but inevitably Wei Wuxian just got louder against his lips, making the most adorable erotic mewls.

He dug his nails into the back of the alpha and felt the spilling of his warm seed pour into his upturned body and his knot settled deep within. Lan Wangji bit at Wei Wuxian’s lower lip, the omega looking like he wanted to cry again.

“Wei Ying,” he tried.

Wei Wuxian did start crying again. He pulled Lan Wangji to lay on top of him, burrowing his face into the alpha’s neck again. He peppered kisses there and even dared to leave a small nip against his skin.

“I’m just happy,” Wei Wuxian sobbed into his neck.

“You don’t sound happy,” Lan Wangji countered, admittedly lost and defeated. He wasn’t sure why his omega was so up and down.

Wei Wuxian hugged him closer, even tightened his hold on his waist with his legs.

Lan Wangji placed them both on their sides, allowing Wei Wuxian to still cling to him. He pulled the blankets up again and tucked the back end around Wei Wuxian’s exposed body while the omega continued to sniffle.

He pulled him back to look at his face, still red eyed and full of fat tears. Lan Wangji sighed and kissed his forehead. He clearly wasn’t sure what to do but Wei Wuxian seemed to snap back to normal earlier with a few kisses.

“Why don’t we talk about our trip tomorrow?” He asked softly.

“We’re still going, right?” Wei Wuxian felt panic rise like bile.

“Yes, of course,” Lan Wangji assured him, smoothing a hand across his side, “I just wish to know what you are looking forward to.”

Wei Wuxian’s eyes widened, “Oh. Well, I’m really looking forward to seeing jiejie again. And of course meeting her beautiful son Jin Ling. I guess the peacock will be there too,” he scoffed.

Lan Wangji nodded along, his hand still soothing across the planes of Wei Wuxian’s side.

“Oh, and showing you around of course! There's this one vendor who makes jianbing all day long! If it were a Lan Clan percept that one couldn’t eat breakfast for dinner I would be serving for life,” he smiled to himself, tapping his finger to his lips, “lets see what else…”

Lan Wangji’s plan was unknowingly successful. The omega was talking with a smile, the tears dried and replaced with excitement. And he kept to himself that that was actually a very strict percept.

“Oh! Oh! I wanna show you this one very specific tree inside of the Jiang Clan residence. I used to climb it a lot to hide,” he smiled even wider.

“Hide?” Lan Wangji broke his silence.

“Mhm. Whenever I got in trouble with Yu Ziyuan or Jiang Cheng threatened to release his evil dogs on me-“

“You… He threatened you?” Lan Wangji’s frown deepened.

“We were eleven years old. It’s a brother's job to threaten you, toughens you up! Jiang Cheng and I taught each other the true meaning of ‘fight or flight’. Turns out it's mostly just ‘fight’ for us though,” he laughed, not taking notice of Lan Wangji’s serious demeanor.

Lan Wangji went back to his silence, returning to the soothing circles.

“And jiejie would always coax me down and carry me back home,” he looked at Lan Wangji, “well, not my home anymore. But you know what I mean.”

The prince nodded agreeingly.

Wei Wuxian scooted closer to him, pressing his forehead against his chest and hid his face, his voice muffled underneath, “Thank you, Lan Zhan.”

He wrapped his arms around Wei Wuxian, “You never need to thank me.”

Wei Wuxian shook his head but didn’t argue, weariness finally setting in.

“Get some sleep, Wei Ying. We have a lot of traveling tomorrow.”

Wei Wuxian’s soft snore was his only response, falling asleep before Lan Wangji even finished his sentence. The alpha smiled and kissed the crown of his head, he pulled a pillow down and rested it behind his omega’s head to make sure he was comfortable.

-

In the morning Lan Wangji was faced with being trapped underneath Wei Wuxian who was completely on top of him, still sound asleep. Lan Wangji gently slid the omega off his chest and tucked him back into the bed, watching as Wei Wuxian grabbed forward. Lan Wangji offered a pillow and watched as the omega forcefully pulled it into his chest and held it tightly against him. If the pillow could breathe it would be suffocating.

Lan Wangji kissed the sleeping omega’s temple and covered himself in a simple robe to fetch Wen Ning and get breakfast prepared.

He entered the main room, finding Wen Ning had already gotten breakfast on the table with Wei Wuxian’s bags packed and readily waiting at the front door. He was glad his omega had a competent servant, one who took great care of him. Though Lan Wangji was a little bothered by their friendship, and only because Wen Ning got to spend every waking second with Wei Wuxian.

Lan Wangji stepped over to observe the spread, seeing exactly what diet the physician had him on. It really was plain, more plain than what Lan Wangji ate and he ate plain. A small portion of white rice, clear broth and a few steamed vegetables sat at Wei Wuxian’s side of the table while Lan Wangji at least had seasoned fish with his serving.

It made sense why the omega was looking forward to eating something as simple as jiangbing.

Wen Ning padded into the room, jumping when he saw Lan Wangji standing at the table.

“Your highness,” he bowed quickly.

Lan Wangji put a hand up to let him know he could stand, “You're quick with preparations.”

“Thank you, your highness. Young master always starts his days late so I’m often busying myself in the mornings with his accomadies.”

“Mh,” he nodded. “I’ll have to wake him early today. We must leave soon.”

Wen Ning put his hands behind his back, “I can get him up if you don’t mind, your highness. I should be administering his injection before we leave, anyway. He requested not to subject you or the Jiang’s to witnessing it.”

Lan Wangji looked as though he pondered that, “If he wishes for that, then it is fine by me. I must go and check in with xiaonzhang before we depart. Please let Wei Ying know I will be back soon.”

Wen Ning smiled and nodded, “Of course, I will make sure he gets the message.”

Lan Wangji walked out the front door, leaving Wen Ning with the unfeisable task of waking Wei Wuxian.

And it was true, ever since Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji had been sleeping in the same bed every night, Wei Wuxian grew stubborn and extremely hard to wake in the mornings. He used to be alert and standoffish, now suddenly being courted and held at night made him a sleeping beauty.

Wen Ning gently rocked his master back and forth, shouting his name, poking his cheek. He even grabbed at his arms and yanked him up, just for the consort to fall right back onto the mattress.

Wen Ning sighed and pulled out his special weapon: a chili oil he kept hidden inside his servants quarters just for moments like this.

The smell wafted into Wei Wuxian’s nose, instantly waking him up and reaching out for the source.

Wen Ning hid it behind his back before the consort was fully awake and actually got his hands on the oil. He saw how the man drank alcohol, he couldn’t imagine what a spice-deprived Wei Wuxian would do to a jar of chili oil.

Wei Wuxian yawned dramatically and fell back onto the mattress, whining his usual protests. It was too early, the sun wasn’t entirely up yet, the birds were still rightfully asleep.

“You and the second crown prince are leaving for Yunmeng today, young master. You need to get up,” Wen Ning encouraged.

Wei Wuxian shot up straight, “Oh! It’s today?”

“It’s today,” Wen Ning confirmed.

Wei Wuxian looked around the room, looking a little lost, “Lan Zhan?”

“His highness went to finish up a few things before you two leave. Everything is packed and ready for your travels, I just need to get you ready,” he pulled out another elegant yet comfortable looking robe for travel. It was grey with a purple trim around the sleeves and a faint grey stitching that lined the arms.

Wei Wuxian stretched his arms out, catching sight of the injection laying innocently on the bedside table, “Injection day?”

Wen Ning nodded, “Do you want me to do a reading before?”

Wei Wuxian rolled his eyes and stuck his wrist out, “Sure but nothing has changed.”

Wen Ning approached and set his fingers above his master's pulse point.

He felt the pulse intently, focusing on the beat of his heart. Normally it was steady and easily felt, as it was today. But something faint followed along, a little zing that swatched through the pulse and demanded to be read.

Wen Ning tried to keep a straight face when he pulled away, but something had to of given him away.

“Wen Ning?” Wei Wuxian asked, looking concerned.

“Young master,” he smiled, “congratulations are in order.”

Wei Wuxian pulled his hand into his chest like Wen Ning’s touch burned, “Haa-what?”

“You’re pregnant, young master.”

Wei Wuxian shook his head, “No.”

Wen Ning nodded, “Yes.”

“No, that’s not possible,” Wei Wuxian kept shaking his head stubbornly.

“Young master…” Wen Ning sounded genuinely concerned.

“I-I’m not supposed to be fertile,” he mumbled to himself, hugging his wrist to his chest.

“That’s why we have been doing your injections, young master,” Wen Ning answered even though he was pretty certain the consort couldn’t hear him.

Wei Wuxian’s head was swarmed with thoughts. He clutched his wrist tighter and then extended it outward, “Read it again.”

Anxiety and excitement gnawed at his belly.

Wen Ning did so, “Nothing has changed. You are still pregnant.”

Wei Wuxian felt like the air got taken out of him, “It had to have been during my heat…” he slammed his hands on the mattress, “That’s why!”

Wen Ning jumped at the outburst, “What-what’s why, young master?”

“I kept crying last night! My mood was all over and I wanted to vomit,” he explained, sounding a little too happy about crying and near vomiting.

“Early stages are hard-“

“It was you!” He looked down and grabbed at his flat stomach, “Making me look like a fool already! Oh, oh no. Please don’t be like me, please be like your father.”

Wen Ning smiled again, “Young master, the fetus wouldn’t be developed enough to have ears.”

He got waved off with one hand, the other protectively flat against his stomach.

“Let’s get you dressed and I will prepare you a tea to help settle your stomach for the trip,” Wen Ning offered.

Wei Wuxian’s eyes were sparkling and he felt utterly thrilled. He lifted his head and met Wen Ning’s eyes, a soft plea coming from his lips, “Wen Ning, can we please keep this to ourselves for the time being? I… I just want this moment for myself. I want to let Lan Zhan know when I’m ready.”

Wen Ning hesitated. He probably knew he should tell the palace, or at least Noble Consort Jin. But he technically wasn’t a physician for the palace and was never asked to make reports or do readings on his master. It wasn’t really treason if no one ever asked him.

He nodded and started to dress Wei Wuxian whose eyes were solely focused down onto his belly, “Of course, young master. You deserve to have this moment.”

-

Wei Wuxian kept absentmindedly putting his hands at his belly as if there were something to feel. The knowledge of his pregnancy alone was enough for him to feel the urge.

He sipped the tea Wen Ning made him, a chamomile blend that really did soothe his already nauseated belly. He made himself eat the rice and steamed veggies in front of him, pushing the clear broth soup to the side with no intention of touching it. The smell of Lan Wangji’s untouched fish was not helping.

Wei Wuxian eventually got up from the table and walked over to the floor length mirror he had spent a moment in over six weeks ago imagining himself pregnant and dreading the idea.

And now he actually was. Mixed emotions rolled through his chest. He was excited and scared and anxious and nervous but also so full of love for the unborn child. He pulled out the front part of his robe to pretend his belly was more extended and much further along.

Wen Ning walked in from behind, Wei Wuxian catching sight of him in the mirror.

“Will you actually order those robes for me when we get back?” He asked Wen Ning.

“Of course, young master. I could now if you permit it,” the servant responded while putting away the dishes Wei Wuxian finished.

“Not yet. I don’t want anyone to get suspicious,” he dropped the front of his robe and watched it fall flat against his belly.

Wen Ning nodded and turned his head, but not fast enough for Wei Wuxian to miss the smile on his lips.

“You’re going to be a jiujiu,” he teased Wen Ning.

Wen Ning’s eyes grew wider than he’d ever seen them, “Young master!”

“What? You said you would take care of my children, you even took palace courses! It’s your fault, really,” Wei Wuxian smirked.

“I- Jiang Cheng will have my head if he hears you say that aloud,” Wen Ning sighed.

“Well, Jiang Cheng isn’t here and you’re my only friend at the palace. And if Jiang Cheng can be considered jiujiu, then so can you,” he stuck his tongue out.

Wen Ning nodded, “Thank you, young master. It is an honor.”

“Ah, don’t get formal on me,” Wei Wuxian prickled.

Thankfully, Lan Wangji appeared in the already opened front door, finding Wei Wuxian standing, awake, fully clothed with tamed hair. Wei Wuxian smiled at him and walked toward the door, bowing right in front of the second crown prince.

“Your highness,” he couldn’t get rid of the smile permanently planted on his lips.

Lan Wangji stepped forward and took Wei Wuxian’s chin in his hands, lifting his face so he looked up at him. He kissed him, deep, with a taste of longing. Wei Wuxian felt his knees go weak.

Lan Wangji pulled away and supported Wei Wuxian up with his arms around his waist, “Are you ready?”

“Yes,” Wei Wuxian answered hazily.

“Did you eat?” He asked him.

“Mmhm… Wait, did you?” Wei Wuxian frowned.

Lan Wangji placed another chaste kiss against his lips, “Lets go.”

Wei Wuxian frowned and grabbed him by his robes collar, “Don’t ignore my question. Did you eat?”

“I will on the way,” Lan Wangji assured him.

Wei Wuxian pouted, “You made me sit next to your stinky full plate all morning just so you could tell me you’re not going to eat it?”

Lan Wangji was dumbfounded, “You want me to eat it?”

Wei Wuxian nodded, “All of it. It’s a Lan percept after all.”

Lan Wangji let him go and walked past him. He fanned out his robes and sat down at the table, eating quicker than Wei Wuxian had ever seen him do. He finished all the food in mere minutes, wiped his mouth with the tip of a cloth and stood back up, grabbing Wei Wuxian’s hand and dragging him out the door.

Chapter Text

Wei Wuxian was hating life.

The swaying of the carriage followed along with his newfound morning sickness was beginning to take a toll on him. He swallowed back the urge to vomit multiple times, placing his forehead on the glass window inside the carriage. The cool temperature made him feel better, but the extra downside was Lan Wangji’s concern for him.

The second crown prince continually rubbed circles on his back which felt good at first but now the worrisome prince was irritating the skin beneath his robes. He would grab his hand and place it in his lap, assuring Lan Wangji he was just getting motion sickness.

After all, Wei Wuxian was used to being on the horse rather than in a carriage pulled by the horse. It could have been white lie, or maybe the truth.

Lan Wangji squeezed his hand and lifted the other to feel his forehead, “Are you sure you’re not coming down with something? Should we have the physician look?”

Wei Wuxian forced a light laugh, “I’m sure. Besides, we are very far from the palace now. It isn’t like the physician can see me.”

“His assistant in the last carriage,” Lan Wangji frowned.

“Eh?” Wei Wuxian’s mouth fell open, “Why are they coming?”

“In case of injury, or sickness.”

Wei Wuxian shut his mouth and waved both his hands, “Well in any case! It’s fine, Lan Zhan. Just a bout of motion sickness. I will be fine.”

He was not fine. He kept closing his eyes and pretending not to exist, which made it worse. So he’d lay his head down onto Lan Wangji’s lap and look up at him, which made it somewhat bearable. The prince ran his nails down his scalp in comfort and that helped balance him a lot more.

Their first stop was just out of Gusu. The sun was beginning to set and the horses were in need of rest, as was Wei Wuxian who felt like he needed to vomit the entirety of steamed buns he ate at lunch. Lan Wangji stepped out of the carriage first and offered his hand out to Wei Wuxian who took it with actual reason. He held on tight and balanced himself down the steps, the fresh air bringing a bit more life back into him.

The Lan Clan had already made arrangements with the typical Inn’s they rented out when any of the royals traveled so there was no need for the prince or entourage check in.

Lan Wangji guided Wei Wuxian toward the inn with their hands still joined together.

The quaint city was bustling with night life. The lanterns illuminated the cold air as children ran around the streets with their toys held high. Men stood around the outer parts of food establishments laughing, faces red with drink. A lot of women were standing around chatting with others, diligently keeping an eye on their children. Well, most of them did.

One child ran right underneath Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji’s arms, another colliding straight into Wei Wuxian’s legs. The little girl fell onto her hind end and looked up at the two with wide brown eyes as if they had just appeared from one of her mother’s storybooks.

“I’m sorry,” she gulped.

The little girl reminded him so much of Jiang Yanli, her hair in twin buns and a soft heart face. Except Jiang Yanli would have managed to pull out an entire tea set and serve them with the most refined elegance an eleven year old could muster.

Wei Wuxian let go of Lan Wangji’s hand and smiled, squatting down onto his haunches to lift the girl up by her armpits. He brushed her sides off when he set her back onto her feet, “You have to watch where you’re going. You’re lucky you only ran into me and not the prince here.”

Her eyes widened and she looked at the man beside him, “A prince?”

“Mmhhm,” he nodded with great exaggeration, “and he’s the mean one.”

Her little mouth fell open, “I’m really sorry!”

Wei Wuxian laughed and patted the girl's head, “Just watch where you’re running, yeah? Or next time the prince may just turn you into a toad.”

“Not a toad!” She gasped.

“A bumpy one!” His hands did a spooky little gesture of fingers in front of himself and she inched backward.

The little girl bowed a handful of times, “I will forever watch where I’m going!”

“Good, now run along.”

The little girl scampered off after the other child who’d got off scott free. Wei Wuxian shook his head and stood up to find Lan Wangji observing him intently, his eyes soft.

He offered his hand back out to the second crown prince, “Aren’t you taking me to the inn, your highness?”

Lan Wangji took his hand, “You shouldn’t bend down like that.”

Wei Wuxian rolled his eyes unseriously, “I did it for a child, it isn’t like I’m bowing to her. You gotta speak on their level sometimes.”

Lan Wangji squeezed his hand and turned back to continue guiding him. A few guards had scuttled forward, protecting them from any other mischievous running children.

Since being a prince his entire life, Lan Wangji had intense training on ignoring his surroundings when it came to folk ogling at him. Wei Wuxian, however, had a month worth of training and he was a curious being by nature.

He made eye contact with almost every person they passed. Children gazed at him with stars in their eyes, some people smiled, some frowned, one man even sent a drunken wink in his direction. And then there were the ones who looked murderous, clearly not fans of the royal family.

Though the quaint town was used to seeing the royal family they hardly saw the second crown prince holding the hand of a consort, let alone the Yiling Patriarch. And so the whispering gossip began.

That early excitement about his conception twisted back into dread. The backlash the empire would have and the words they would speak about his child made him want to hide away the unborn babe. Expectations would be thrust against his poor kin. It would be better to be unknown and rise to the top than to be known and expected to be perfect from birth.

“Wei Ying?” Lan Wangji’s voice broke through his swirling thoughts.

“Mh?” Wei Wuxian forced a smile and resisted putting a hand against his stomach.

Lan Wangji took one look at him, then looked at the crowd. Each person instantly turned their judgemental eyes. The prince pulled Wei Wuxian forward and put a hand at the small of his back, keeping him beside him rather than behind.

That aroused even more whispering.

They finally approached the inn, the more refurbished one that Wei Wuxian assumed got more money from the palace than any other shop or vendor in the city. The innkeeper was already waiting at the steps, doors open and expecting. Lan Wangji kept his hand firmly placed against Wei Wuxian and led him into the warm inn, protecting his consort from all the unwanted attention.

Wei Wuxian wasn’t not used to being looked at. Even before as a cultivator alone he got plenty of attention when walking into towns. After all, he was an extremely attractive person! And he used that to his advantage occasionally, flashing puppy dog eyes at the women selling fruit on the street, a sly smile here and there with meaningless flirtatious words. But that was during his shameless youth days.

Once again his mind drifted to the maddening thoughts of how he had to represent the Lan Clan, a clan whose tightly secured rules got him into trouble every waking minute. A clan he got thrown out of at sixteen while simply there to study. Wei Wuxian was too boisterous, too excited, his imagination was too much.

But one thing was certain: he made use of that imagination and created his own cultivation path. His maddening rants at the Cloud Recess became true, a selling point for his worth when he was gifted as a war prize to the very clan who doubted him.

Lan Wangji brought him into a room furthest back from the entrance and sat him down beside a table in the middle of the room.

Wei Wuxian finally took a breath and finally allowed himself to relax.

“Do you feel any better?” Lan Wangji asked, kneeling beside him, “Do you want me to call the physician’s assistant?”

“No, please don’t,” Wei Wuxian took his hand and rubbed a thumb across, “I’m fine, Lan Zhan. I just haven’t been outside of the palace in a while. It’s a lot to take in.”

The prince looked him over one more time, his concern could be seen visibly waving off of him.

Wei Wuxian smiled and brought his hand up to his lips to plant a small kiss against his knuckles, “You’re going to make yourself vomit if you keep worrying too much.”

“I will hold it in if you are present,” Lan Wangji commented.

Wei Wuxian laughed, his prince actually joking back with him, “My, what a gentleman. I can’t say the same for me, I may just get it on your boots.”

And with all seriousness, Lan Wangji nodded, “That’s fine, as long as it makes you feel better.”

“Ever the empath,” he smirked. “Are you staying in this room with me?”

He noticed the room only had one bed and lacked any sort of sugary treats that inn’s offered to their guests. The room was clearly set up for him.

“If you wish for me to, I can arrange it.”

Wei Wuxian’s smile dropped, he let go of Lan Wangji’s hand and put both of his into his own lap, “If you’ve already arranged a room for yourself then don’t go to the trouble of changing it.”

“It would be no trouble,” Lan Wangji stood up while talking.

Someone knocked at the entrance, and Wei Wuxian called out while still looking at Lan Wangji, “Come in.”

Wen Ning walked in with a tray of chamomile tea he’d served him early this morning, the sweet scent wafted in the air, “Ah, your highness. I will go and fetch another cup-“

“There’s no need, Wen Ning. His highness was just leaving,” Wei Wuxian said while remaining eye contact with the prince.

Lan Wangji was silent, and Wen Ning stood lost. The servant broke the silence by walking to the omega and placing the table, pouring Wei Wuxian a cup.

Lan Wangji placed a hand against Wei Wuxian’s cheek and leaned down to press a kiss against his forehead before silently departing.

Once the door slid shut with a soft thud, Wen Ning let out a breath he had been holding in anticipation, “Did you tell him?”

“No,” Wei Wuxian turned and put his hands against the warm cup to nurse it, the heat was painful but welcome.

Wen Ning’s smile faltered, “Ah, did you two fight?”

Wei Wuxian looked at the liquid in the cup as the steam rose into the cold air, “No. He’s just sleeping in a different room.”

If anyone understood the hormones of a pregnant omega, though a beta, it was Wen Ning. Wen Qing was adamant about lecturing him on such subjects, thinking he would be the next doctor to succeed her. Because he was a beta, he would be able to help both omega’s and alpha’s with no prejudice or unwanted scents during pregnancies or births. Wei Wuxian knew he was knowledgeable about his situation.

“Are you okay with that?” Wen Ning asked gently.

Wei Wuxian’s fingers tightened around the cup, a sharp noise of cracking glass split between them.

“Young master, please be careful,” Wen Ning sputtered.

“I’ll have to be okay with it, right?” Wei Wuxian fumed.

He wasn’t okay with it. The second crown prince had been sleeping every single night at his residence and now that they are out of the palace he was thrown to the side. Was the prince ashamed of him now that they weren’t behind closed doors? Did the prince somehow think he was gross? Did he scare him away with all his emotions last night?

“Am I crazy?” Wei Wuxian asked Wen Ning, staring up at him with totally not crazy eyes.

“N-No…” Wen Ning treaded carefully.

“Why did you hesitate?” Wei Wuxian frowned.

“I didn’t.”

“You did.”

“I was just looking at how the maids did your hair, that's all.”

Wei Wuxian glared and lifted the cup of tea to his lips. The sweet taste was grounding.

He set the tea down and tucked his face into his hands, “I’m too much.”

He could practically feel Wen Ning’s anxiety about him. He knew he was already planning on writing to Wen Qing and asking for any or all transcripts about pregnant omegas.

“Young master,” Wen Ning tucked his hands onto his own lap and sat across from Wei Wuxian, something a servant should not be doing but this was already a secretive conversation, “You’re just feeling a lot more emotional than normal. And that’s okay. The second crown prince doesn’t know so you cannot fault him. The room situation has been likely set since the Lan Clan dynasty, it isn’t you.”

“Then why doesn’t he change it?” Wei Wuxian muffled into his hands.

“He probably doesn’t want to bother you.”

Wei Wuxian shook his head and looked up with a pout, “But I need him with me.”

“Shall I go and fetch him?” Wen Ning asked, hopeful. “Maybe you two can discuss the elephant in the room.”

“Our child is not an elephant,” Wei Wuxian frowned and glared daggers, “I do not wish to tell him yet. Maybe after the trip, I don’t need people doting on me or treating me differently. I just want a normal trip to Yunmeng.”

“Your scent will start changing, young master…” Wen Ning was trying to reason.

“It has been off since I started taking fertility support.”

Which was true. His normal lavender scent had been subtly mixed with petrichor since beginning the treatments.

Wei Wuxian met Wen Ning’s troubled eyes, “I can survive a night without him.”

Wen Ning looked like he was going to explode, “Young master if I can speak so plainly, it’s your first night knowing you’re,” he looked to the closed door, back to Wei Wuxian and lowered his voice, “pregnant.”

Wei Wuxian stuck his nose up, “And?”

“And you’re away from home, from all the scents you have grown used to.”

“I have you,” Wei Wuxian picked up the tea to sip some more.

“I am honored but I am not the second crown prince,” he sighed.

Wei Wuxian glugged down the hot liquid and stood up, “I want to sleep.”

“You haven’t ate-“

“I want to sleep,” Wei Wuxian repeated while pulling off his robes.

Wen Ning shot up and stumbled around the table. He started helping Wei Wuxian change into appropriate sleepwear and preparing him for bed. It was going to be a long night.

Wei Wuxian tossed and turned in the too-empty-bed multiple times throughout the night with nothing, or rather no one, to hold. His thoughts alone kept him up with the uncomfortable knowledge that in just a few months he wouldn’t be able to hide his stomach. The little freedom he had was going to be quickly swapped out for the instincts of being a mother.

It had started raining outside, the soft pitter of rain was humming on the roof of the inn and filled in the silence. It was absolutely freezing and he couldn’t stay still long enough to get warm.

He had it. Sleep wasn’t an option but exploring could be.

There was no way to tell what time it was. The inn was relatively quiet aside from the soft rain and when he slid open his door there were no guards keeping watch. He wasn’t sneaking, but he did walk barefoot out of the room with quiet footsteps.

A few rooms still had lanterns lit that seeped between the cracks of nearly closed doors. He could hear the ruckus of a few palace servants inside the rooms making audible conversation about a multitude of subjects. Nothing of interest.

He continued down the hall in hopes of finding the kitchen to get his mind off of being sleepless, and maybe to even sate a sweet tooth craving. When he made it to the lobby there wasn’t a soul in sight. The entire inn was rented out just to the palace members so instead of there being any lively common folk it was eerily silent without the polluted noise of voices.

The kitchen wasn’t far from the rooms but the tile was colder than expected. He walked on his toes across the kitchen to ransack the cabinets. Inside he found a few pre-baked rice cakes. He snatched them out and sat at the table inside the kitchen, stomach growling after choosing to be bratty and ignore entertaining an evening meal.

It was sweet enough to pass the craving but the cold autumn air leaking through the vents of the kitchen chilled his exposed arms. The sleepwear he originally had on was too restraining and he had shed most of it off while tossing and turning. It was certainly a regret of his now.

He pushed aside a curtain that hung in front of the only window in the kitchen to see the outside world. People were still wandering the streets even though he estimated it to be closer to chou time. A woman and a man, presumably her husband, were walking hand in hand with a blush he could see from where he sat. They were both stumbling but the smiles they wore were genuine as the man held an umbrella above their heads and ran from the rain.

There was a cat perched underneath the roof of a restaurant across the way, scraps of leftover food were set in a tray that seemed to be lovingly used daily. The cat slept safely and far away from the rain.

Another woman, an omega judging by her collar, was walking alone down the street with her coat held above her head with one arm, the other hand carrying what looked like forgotten groceries she set aside for other business.

He finished his rice cake and dropped the curtain, turning back into the dark kitchen. He looked over the counter and saw an abundance of tea options to choose from. He went with a roasted rice blend, setting a pot of water above the stove and lighting the wood himself. Once the water was boiled he let the tea steep and poured it into a cup he’d also borrowed (stolen) from the kitchen.

Wei Wuxian headed back down toward his room, hugging the tea closer to his chest as he walked. He came across a room with the door wide open and not a soul inside. There was a map sprawled out across the table and Wei Wuxian being the most curious human alive was immediately drawn to it. He stepped into the room without hesitation and looked over the map, cup of tea still hugged close as he shivered.

It was a plan of attack, flags of the Lan Clan surrounding the mountains up north, the same ones Lan Wangji had asked him about a month ago. Wei Wuxian’s brows drew together as he kneeled in front of the map and set the cup down.

“Consort Wei Wuxian?” Lan Wangji’s imperial advisor called from the doorway.

Wei Wuxian didn’t turn to look at him, instead he pointed at the map, “Why are you setting camp here? It’s in a clearance, whoever you’re planning to ambush will see the camp from any height. Smoke from fires will be extremely visible in a cavern like this.”

The imperial advisor stepped forward judging by the sound, “It is not a set battle plan. Consort Wei Wuxian, you should be in bed.”

“But it’s foolish to even imagine setting up camp there, if you attack from the main road you’ll send your men to their death. The enemy you’re challenging has the high ground here.”

The imperial advisor was quiet. A familiar presence joined them, “Wei Ying?”

He looked up then, meeting Lan Wangji’s eyes.

“Please don’t tell me you came up with these positions?” He frowned at the prince.

“Wei Ying, where are your outer robes?” Lan Wangji walked forward and took off his own, placing it around Wei Wuxian to cover him up.

He gripped the robe and turned back to the map, “You need to move them over here,” his fingers dragged across the map toward a busier town, “and if you’re going to attack you need to do it through the forest, not down a road.”

Lan Wangji looked at the map, “This is just a suggestion map, nothing is set.”

“Whoever is making such foolish suggestions needs to be questioned about their position in your army.”

The imperial advisor cleared his throat.

Lan Wangji put a hand on Wei Wuxian’s shoulder, “Wei Ying, let me get you back to your room.”

“Do you know who is controlling these corpses?” Wei Wuxian asked, ignoring the plea.

“No,” Lan Wangji sighed.

Wei Wuxian’s eyes scanned the map. He had never explored the area around Shandong, making the entire place an enigma to him aside from what he could see on the detailed map.

“Well they’ve clearly found a good spot to put themselves in. The Jin Clan has not offered any assistance? It barrels into their land as much as it does the Nie’s,” he frowned and tapped his fingers against the wooden table.

“With all due respect, Consort Wei Wuxian,” the imperial advisor said with slight irritation apparent in his tone, “this is a private matter.”

Wei Wuxian laughed louder than he should, considering the time of night, “Fine.” He grabbed his cup and slid the outer robe off his shoulders, handing it back to Lan Wangji.

“Wei Ying let me walk you back to your room,” Lan Wangji ignored the outstretched hand offering his robe back.

Wei Wuxian shook his head, “I can find it just fine on my own. You should stay here and look over that map, make an actual gameplan instead of listening to foolish suggestions from people who don’t know what war looks like. Whatever plan that is will get half your men killed.”

He pushed the robe further. The prince continued to ignore the offer. Wei Wuxian dropped it, letting the robes spill onto the floor and turned on his bare feet, walking right out of the room.

Lan Wangji followed him into the hall, wrapping an arm around his waist and pulling him back, “What is going on?”

Wei Wuxian kept both hands on his cup, meeting the prince’s glinting eyes, “I don’t know what you mean.”

“Why are you up and walking around half naked?” Lan Wangji’s arm tightened around his waist possessively.

“I was hungry,” Wei Wuxian answered with a smirk.

Lan Wangji’s eyes flicked between Wei Wuxian’s, “Why didn’t you eat dinner? Wen Ning told me you retired early.”

“I was tired,” he answered in the same tone.

“You have to eat more.”

Wei Wuxian frowned and tried to pull away, “I don’t like being told what to do.”

Lan Wangji’s grip tightened. He took the tea cup from Wei Wuxian’s grip and grabbed his waist, slinging the omega’s waist over his shoulder and taking him down the hall, back to his room.

Wei Wuxian yelped and started kicking his legs which was useless. Lan Wangji’s grip was iron.

When they got back to the room, Lan Wangji slid the door open with his foot and closed it the same. He set a ruffled Wei Wuxian onto the bed and handed him back his tea, “Why are you being difficult?”

“I don’t know what you mean,” he puffed his cheeks up.

Lan Wangji grabbed his puffed cheeks and kneeled down in front of him, “Wei Ying.”

“Your imperial advisor is an idiot,” he frowned.

Lan Wangji sighed, “You don’t need to concern yourself with those things.”

“Of course I do. The madman is set up close to the Jin Clan, my jiejie is a Jin now. Is this a topic you have planned to talk about in Yunmeng?”

The rain outside picked up, the roof above sounding like white noise.

“Wei Ying,” He put his hands onto the omega’s shoulders, “do not concern yourself with this. You are to enjoy yourself in Yunmeng, not worry about battle strategies.”

“Why can’t I help you?” He frowned, “You don’t have to send me out on the battlefield but you can at least borrow my mind. I was once the madman controlling corpses, Lan Zhan.”

Lan Wangji nodded, “I know. Which is why you don’t need to get involved.”

“You think I’ll defect, don’t you?” Wei Wuxian’s stomach clenched.

Lan Wangji didn’t answer, not right away. He took the tea cup into his hands again and set it aside onto the bedside table.

“I think you have had enough tragedy in your life. It is time you rest,” he took both his hands into his and squeezed them.

Wei Wuxian’s heart fluttered. He squeezed his hands back and leaned forward, kissing the kneeling prince in front of him. Lan Wangji let go of his hands and pulled Wei Wuxian forward by the underside of his knees, making it so he sat between his legs.

His arms wrapped around Wei Wuxian’s waist and he tilted his head up as Wei Wuxian deepened the kiss, arms resting on his shoulders. Lan Wangji pulled away and kissed above Wei Wuxian’s robes from his chest down to his stomach.

Another flutter went through Wei Wuxian’s heart, this one much more nervous than the last. Lan Wangji couldn’t possibly know he was pregnant unless Wen Ning spilled, and Wen Ning was loyal to the prince but had proven to be much more loyal to Wei Wuxian.

He watched Lan Wangji place another kiss on his belly and look up at him, “Please rest.”

Wei Wuxian ran a hand down Lan Wangji’s cheek and pulled his head back into his stomach, leaning down to kiss the crown of his head, “I can’t sleep without you.”

Lan Wangji hugged him closer, “Let me finish with this meeting and I will be yours.”

He instantly smiled into Lan Wangji’s hair, “Then hurry.”

Lan Wangji looked up and stole another kiss, letting go of Wei Wuxian. He picked up the discarded blanket and wrapped it around him before heading back out the door.

Wei Wuxian fell onto his side in the unfamiliar bed and stared at the door, waiting patiently.

It took all of ten minutes for Lan Wangji to return to the still wide awake Wei Wuxian who had crawled out of bed, uncovered, and was restlessly circling his index finger on the rim of the still full teacup.

Lan Wangji picked him back up like he weighed nothing and set him back into the bed. Wei Wuxian made grabby hands upward, waiting for the alpha to discard his outer robes and join him.

Lan Wangji let himself get grabbed and pulled down, an exchange of soft kisses being his reward. Wei Wuxian tangled himself into the arms he stubbornly missed and fell asleep in mere moments.

-

When morning came Wei Wuxian found himself laying on top of Lan Wangji who was gently combing his fingers through the omega’s hair. Wei Wuxian buried his face deeper into his chest and said with a soft, sleepy voice, “Don’t tell me we have to get up.”

He felt a soft rumble of amusement under his burrowed face, “I wish I could.”

Wei Wuxian whined.

“The sooner we depart the sooner we get to Yunmeng.”

“I’ve changed my mind,” Wei Wuxian sighed, “this is just fine. We don’t need to go to Yunmeng.”

Lan Wangji’s hand trailed down his spine, resting at the small of his back, “You don’t mean that.”

“No,” he frowned, looking up, “but you are so comfortable.”

Lan Wangji smiled, “We have to go.”

“Fine,” he leaned up and kissed him, morning breath and all.

Wei Wuxian slipped off Lan Wangji and immediately mourned the loss of contact. It was unforgivably cold. He slung his legs over the bed and got up.

A dizziness hit him hard and fast, his vision went dark and he slipped forward.

Lan Wangji grabbed his wrist, pulling him back upward with a grip at his waist, “Wei Ying?”

He waited for his vision to return, “I’m okay. I got up too fast, that's all.”

And then the nausea hit. He put a hand up to his mouth and held back a gag. He hadn’t actually vomited yet, always managing to hold back the mouth watering sensation. But this one was coming up fast.

He managed to escape Lan Wangji’s grip and find a basin set at the end of the bed, spilling all the bile contents of his stomach. He felt Lan Wangji’s warm hands hold his hair back, his other hand pressed gingerly at his back in an attempt at comforting the vomiting omega.

Another spill meandered its way upward and Wei Wuxian’s knuckles turned white while holding onto the basin.

Lan Wangji was muttering something to him about the physician’s assistant and once Wei Wuxian had successfully taken control over his own body again he moaned a protest, putting his forehead against the basin.

“I’m fine, Lan Zhan,” he groaned.

“This is not fine, Wei Ying.”

“I don’t want that man's claws on me again, or his assistance’s,” Wei Wuxian growled.

Lan Wangji’s soothing hands faltered, “I understand but-“

“You don’t understand, you will never understand,” he looked up at him.

The alpha’s hands clenched against his back, “Wei Ying, someone needs to look at you.”

“Then give me Wen Ning. I do not want a palace servant or a royal physician. I do not wish to be restrained and bound against my will ever again,” he bit out.

“Wen Ning is not qualified to gauge your health-“

“He’ll do fine! I’m not worried about this, I just didn’t eat right and was weary from travel. That’s all-“ Wei Wuxian felt another bout coming on.

He turned back to the basin and heaved more contents.

Lan Wangji kept his hair bundled and gathered back his bangs this time to let the air cool down a rising temperature.

Wei Wuxian gulped fresh air and finally pulled back from the basin. Lan Wangji lifted his sleeve and wiped at the omega’s mouth, “I will get Wen Ning.”

Lan Wangji and Wen Ning entered together minutes later, water in hand. Lan Wangji sat close to Wei Wuxian again who still harbored near the basin, the color returning to his face.

“Young master,” Wen Ning bowed and began to look him over, “what happened?”

“I just got up too fast and made myself dizzy,” Wei Wuxian sighed, “Lan Zhan thinks I’m dying. Tell him I’m not dying.”

Wen Ning did not tell the second crown prince that his consort wasn’t dying. Instead, he walked up and checked Wei Wuxian’s pulses, his temperature and eyes.

“Well, you’ve definitely recovered from the dizziness,” Wen Ning commented.

Wei Wuxian looked at Lan Wangji, “See?”

“Why is he vomiting?" Lan Wangji asked Wen Ning.

Wei Wuxian whipped his head toward Wen Ning which was admittedly a bad move after just recovering. Still, he managed to send a ‘don’t you dare’ look toward him.

“Traveling far from home can make an omega weary and homesick. He wasn’t feeling great on the road before, I’m sure his stomach was just unsettled. Especially since he didn’t eat last night,” Wen Ning threw in the last comment with mild spite.

Wei Wuxian resisted sticking his tongue out at the beta servant.

Lan Wangji nodded and looked over Wei Wuxian again, “You’re feeling better?”

“Yes, Lan Zhan. I used to get dizzy all the time when I was younger. I’m just missing proper food in my diet,” he made the excuse.

Lan Wangji put the cup of water into his hands and soothed his hair back. Wen Ning excused himself to make sure Wei Wuxian’s bags were in order, promising to return to get him ready for the road.

Wei Wuxian obediently drank the water.

“Please eat more,” Lan Wangji asked while watching him drink.

“Your palace feeds me like I’m one of your rabbits, Lan Zhan. There isn’t much I can do about my food intake,” he grumbled after finishing the cup.

“You can eat it,” Lan Wangji took the glass and set it on the table.

Wei Wuxian glared at him, “I do eat it.”

“Like a bird,” Lan Wangji met the glare.

“Lan Zhan,” he frowned.

“Wei Ying.”

“Gah, you frustrating man,” he stood up and Lan Wangji followed, prepared to catch him again. But no dizziness or nausea hit. He turned and poked Lan Wangji’s chest, “It’s easy for you to say. You’re not eating steamed veggies with no seasoning and rice every day.”

Lan Wangji took his hand and kissed his palm, “I will request you get more sustainable subsistence."

“Let me eat what I want this week and I will finish all my meals in Gusu.”

“Deal.”

“Wait, really?” Wei Wuxian was actually shocked.

“Mh,” Lan Wangji nodded.

Wei Wuxian’s eyes glowed with mischief, “When do we get to the next town?”

-

The carriage ride was once again unforgivable but manageable after he had already caved in to his morning sickness. Which was unfairly labeled, it wasn’t just the mornings that it hit. And after a private conversation with Wen Ning he discovered that this specific symptom of pregnancy was going to stick around longer than he hoped.

But with the excuse of an upset stomach, no one paid him any mind when he grabbed at his stomach under the assumption it was swirling. In reality he was just imagining the child within. Yes, yes, he knew the child was the size of a bean but they were still his.

Lan Wangji would look at him when he did so, the frown he originally gave at seeing the omega clutch his belly softened when the hands did. Wei Wuxian would occasionally forget he was supposed to be feigning pain, his palm was flat and his fingers relaxed.

Wei Wuxian watched outside the window this trip, looking over the fields they passed and the town folk who lined up to watch them pass.

“Not many of them have much to fear here. The Lan Clan and Su Clan are active here,” Wei Wuxian commented mostly to himself but got a confirming “Mh” from Lan Wangji.

The next town they stopped at was larger than the last and the nightlife was much, much louder. Children ran around with sparklers in their hands, the town had entertainers dancing in the courtyard with common folk being pulled into the ruckus and dancing along with.

Lan Wangji exited before Wei Wuxian and when he managed to step out, Lan Wangji scooped him up by his waist and set him down onto the pavement of the road.

“I dont want your robes to get muddy,” Lan Wangji said.

“Ah,” Wei Wuxian struggled to get his lungs working again after the air got swooned out of him in public.

A bunch of small humans came rushing at them, surrounding them with large, curious eyes.

“Hello,” Wei Wuxian smiled at the children and waved. He was standing in front of Lan Wangji and the guards had just started to get out of their own carriages.

“You’re beautiful,” one of the little girls blurted.

Wei Wuxian couldn’t help but laugh, squatting down against Lan Wangji’s previous wishes and meeting their gaze at level, “So are you.”

The little girl's mouth dropped open.

“Are you a princess?” A little boy asked off to the side.

Wei Wuxian shook his head, looking over at the boy, “No, I’m just a friend of the prince’s.”

“Are all his friends princesses?” He asked, clearly not buying the lie.

Wei Wuxian tapped his lips and glanced back at a slightly disgruntled Lan Wangji, “Pretty much.”

“Your collar is really pretty,” another boy piped up, “I like the red.”

He smiled and touched his collar with his fingertips, “It is a very pretty color I agree.”

“Are you married?” The same boy asked.

“No, are you?” Wei Wuxian teased.

“No…” the boy responded shyly and dug the toe of his shoe into the ground, “can we be?”

Wei Wuxian lifted his sleeve to laugh into it, “You’re a tad too young for me, haizi. Maybe when you’re older.”

The boy smiled a toothy grin and puffed up his chest.

Another girl stepped forward and offered him a paper crane. He took it into his fingers and tilted his head, “For me?”

“I want the princess to have it,” she whispered.

“Ah,” he reached out and patted her head, “thank you.”

She nodded and stepped back into the ever growing crowd of children.

A woman came rushing up from behind them and ushered them all back to the courtyard, she bowed to them with haste, “I deeply apologize, your majesties. They’re part of our orphanage and have yet to be in town when the royal carriages arrive.”

Wei Wuxian stood back up and stepped behind Lan Wangji. He wasn’t going to correct the wrongly addressed title and the guards were already wearily surrounding the prince.

“No need. They were only curious,” Lan Wangji nodded.

“Thank you for your forgiveness, your highness. Please enjoy our humble town.”

With that, the woman walked away to gather her ducklings back into a row and guide them through the city.

Wei Wuxian watched them walk along through the lantern light, the children's excited faces and energy could be seen from where they stood. Lan Wangji grabbed his hand and brought him back down to earth, “Come.”

Wei Wuxian squeezed his hand and walked beside him as their entourage led them to the next inn.

It was significantly larger than the quaint one they’d left behind on the border of Gusu. The entire place was nearly three stories tall and had an excessive amount of expensive looking decor that told Wei Wuxian whoever could afford to stay there was rich.

Once more, the place was vacant of any other inn members and entirely rented out for their stay. Wei Wuxian was a little disappointed, he loved people watching and entertaining himself with made up scenarios.

Lan Wangji took him to their room, a tray of sweets was resting in the middle of the room and his bags were already neatly tucked into the corner. Wei Wuxian was still a little woozy from the trip but he wasn’t going to ignore the treats for long.

He kicked off his boots at the doorway and went over to the single bed to fall flat on his back. Lan Wangji however went to prepare tea for them without asking a servant for help. Wei Wuxiam watched from the corner of his eye with slight amusement, until he realized the alpha actually knew what he was doing.

“Who taught you how to prepare tea?” He asked.

“My mother,” Lan Wangji answered.

Wei Wuxian sat up on his elbows. Lan Wangji never spoke of the emperor, much less the late empress. No one did.

He wanted to press more to get information but Lan Wangji looked sentimental, and Wei Wuxian did not want to steal that memory.

Lan Wangji brought the well-prepared tea over to the table and set it down, gesturing for Wei Wuxian to join him. The aroma of white tea leaves rose into the air.

Wei Wuxian slid off the bed and joined him at the table.

“Sit proper,” Lan Wangji scolded.

Wei Wuxian sighed dramatically but still straightened his spine, “Do you have any more secret war meetings tonight?”

Lan Wangji pushed Wei Wuxian’s tea cup closer to him, “Last night’s was impromptu. I planned the traveling part of this trip to be without any meetings.”

“Do you like meetings?” Wei Wuxian took the tea cup into his hands strictly for warmth.

“It does not matter if I enjoy such things, just that I attend and oversee,” Lan Wangji met his eyes.

Wei Wuxian lifted his cup and took a sip while remaining eye contact, “They sound properly boring. At least I always thought they were, all the cultivation meetings I attended had me yawning at just the introductions.”

“I have seen you fall asleep on your propped up hands multiple times in the past,” Lan Wangji nodded.

“I used to be able to sleep anywhere,” he smiled proudly, “but those meetings were prime for nap time. Though they did get more interesting when people started calling me evil.”

Something uncomfortable flashed across Lan Wangji’s eyes.

Wei Wuxian picked up on it easily and changed the subject, “Lan Zhan. Remember how you said you’ll let me eat whatever I want this week?”

Lan Wangji nodded, that uncomfortable look in his eye disappearing.

“Lets do something fun,” he reached his hand across the table.

The prince looked at the outstretched hand and took it in his though he’d just scolded the consort for improper sitting earlier.

“Fun?” Lan Wangji cautiously asked.

“Mm,” Wei Wuxian nodded excitedly. “I want to go into town. We get rid of these expensive robes and dress down. No one will recognize you outside of your imperial ware and just think you’re a Lan Clan cultivator, which isn’t untrue.”

“No.”

“Pleeeeaaaase,” Wei Wuxian pouted. “You can still bring Bichen. We can sneak out through the window.”

“No.”

“Why not?” He squeezed his hand.

“It is far too reckless,” Lan Wangji frowned.

“It would be fun! Live a little bit outside of the palace, Lan Zhan,” his mischievous smile grew, “lets pretend.”

Despite his earlier protest the prince still looked curious, “Pretend what?”

“Pretend… Lets pretend I’m your wife, hm?” He grinned, “We’ve been married for four years and have three beautiful, deeply loved children at home. We’re traveling to see my family, leaving our babies home with their shufu. This is our second stop from our destination and we wanted to just have a date to ourselves with no children to distract us.”

Lan Wangji looked taken aback by the wild story.

“It will be domestic and cute and nothing like anything you’ve done,” Wei Wuxian pressed with his best puppy dog eyes, “it will be fun. We can live an impossible dream just for a night, whatcha think?”

“You just want to drink,” Lan Wangji sighed. “I can order that here for you.”

“N-no,” Wei Wuxian shook his head. Of course he wanted to drink but not while impregnated. Not that Lan Wangji knew. “My stomach is too upset to even think about drinking. It will be a sober night, I promise.”

“And what if we are recognized?”

“No one is going to second guess. It’s reverse psychology. Why would our second crown prince be gallivanting through this town without his guards?” Wei Wuxian’s eyes sparkled.

“Wei Ying, you are also known,” Lan Wangji looked at their linked hands.

He laughed, “People know of me. But they’ve never seen me. That orphanage thought I was a princess, and their caretaker called me ‘majesty’ alongside you. Clearly the town isn’t entirely aware of who I am.”

Lan Wangji was silent for a while. Wei Wuxian was just about to try and convince him more when he finally spoke, “Fine.”

Wei Wuxian’s grin was contagious. He let go of Lan Wangji’s hand and threw himself over the table to hug him tight. Lan Wangji quickly caught both tea cups before they could spill onto the consort.

“Thank you, thank you!” He kissed his cheek three times and let go.

They waited until the evening had set before actually making their way out the window. Lan Wangji had put a “do not disturb” sign on their door which could mean a multitude of things but he mostly suggested it was for the ‘sick’ omega consort. He assured Wei Wuxian he would be back soon, walking out to handle whatever remaining tasks a prince had to do while traveling.

Wei Wuxian rummaged through their bags, looking for the least extravagant clothing. Most of it was far too flashy. He managed to find one purely white robe that truly did look like the Lan Clan’s cultivators for Lan Wangji.

Going through his own robes was difficult. If he were to play the wife of a cultivation clan who took extreme care to look unwealthy, despite their well known wealth, he had to seek something simple. As he rummaged through the expensive clothing he eventually came across a piece he hadn’t seen in ages— the robes he came to the Cloud Recess in.

Wen Ning must have packed it for him as a reminiscence of going back to Yunmeng. The piece was what he would wear religiously around Lotus Pier, an ombre dark robe that was cut with red pooling inside the sleeves.

He rubbed a hand across it, scared it would disappear if he took his eyes off it. It was also extremely ironic, convincing Lan Wangji to take him out and play pretend and then finding a robe that connected him to who he was before his new life. He brought the clothing up to his nose, his lavender scent was faded but wasn’t nonexistent.

It will do. He grabbed it before second guessing and dressed himself as he waited for Lan Wangji to finish whatever business he had walked out for.

He observed himself in the vanity mirror after dressing, pulling his hair up into a ponytail just to really hit the nostalgia feeling dead center. His cinnabar collar was definitely wealthy looking but there wasn’t much he could do about that.

At least the robes fit for now, he thought, his hand drifting down against his belly with a smile.

The door behind him slid open and he dropped his hand, turning to find a stunned Lan Wangji.

“Welcome back, Hanguang-Jun,” he grinned and walked to him.

Lan Wangji’s shock remained, words seemingly a foreign concept to him.

Wei Wuxian tucked his hands behind his back and leaned in front of him, “Hello?” He walked around him, and poked his cheek, “Earth to Lan Zhan~”

“Wei Ying,” Lan Wangji took his hand.

“Mm? That’s me!” He walked back around to face him, tilting his head, “I haven't seen you look so confused in a while, like the night we first slept together,” Wei Wuxian laughed, “I remember thinking it must have been your first time too.”

“It was,” Lan Wangji finally came to his senses, “you’re dressed in your old robes.”

“Yeah, do they look okay?” He was smiling while looking down at his own robes, then the shock hit him this time and his head snapped up, “Wait, it was?” Wei Wuxian asked, “Lan Zhan, you never bedded anyone prior to me?”

“No.”

“Really?” His eyes widened. He took his hand back and put his both at his hips and looked the alpha up and down.

“Is that bad?” Lan Wangji genuinely questioned.

“Not at all— I just figured since you’re a prince and all…”

Lan Wangji waited for him to continue.

“I just figured you had a lot of experience!”

The prince frowned, “You thought I’ve been bedding others?”

“Well that’s the point of a harem, Lan Zhan!” Wei Wuxian threw his arms up as if to prove a point, “The royals have a whole selection of fuck buddies—“

“You are not a… A ‘buddy’, Wei Ying.”

Wei Wuxian’s heart melted at his alpha’s inability to say the word ‘fuck’ and his disgruntled face.

“Okay, okay. But the point of an harem is to create heirs, no?” He dropped his arms down and tucked them into his sleeves.

“It can also expedite clan relations.”

“With the privilege of bedding…” He left the sentence open-ended, waiting for Lan Wangji to finish it.

Lan Wangji did not.

“The concubines, Lan Zhan. Prince’s can bed their concubine.”

Lan Wangji raised a brow, “I’ve only… Bedded you. You took the initiative too.”

“Are you saying I forcefully took your virginity?” Wei Wuxian gasped.

“I called on you for discussion and you-“

“I—I thought!” He felt his face turn a bright red, “I thought that's what you wanted! I was told to…”

Lan Wangji took his face into his hands, “Did you not want to?”

“Did you not want to?” He parroted.

“I am glad we did,” Lan Wangji confirmed and held Wei Wuxian’s flushed face firmly so he couldn’t hide, “but you?”

“O-of course. I’m more than glad… Hey! You took my virginity too, why am I getting shamed?” He pouted between his squished cheeks.

“Was I too rough?”

“No. I mean it wasn’t painless but it felt good after a while,” He looked up at Lan Wangji.

The face he found was adoring, looking at him as if he were one of his precious rabbits.

“Good,” Lan Wangji finally said and let go.

Wei Wuxian almost stumbled forward, getting used to leaning his weight against the alpha’s embrace.

Lan Wangji looked over everything Wei Wuxian rummaged through, the state of the room a little messy but easily put back together. He glanced at the cultivation robes, “You want me in this?”

“It’s the most simple thing I could find,” Wei Wuxian was still a little dazed from their virginity talk which almost made him forget about their sneaky little plan.

Lan Wangji didn’t comment and instead started to undress himself.

Wei Wuxian would have gladly offered but he knew that would lead to a different kind of fun and it would take all night to peel away from each other. This was probably their one and only chance to do something reckless like this before he actually had their very real child.

So instead he sat down and took in the sight of Lan Wangji’s god-sculpted body in action. His entire back flexed as he discarded his outer robes, shoulder blades making a remarkable wing-like look underneath his inner robes as he started undoing his sash.

Wei Wuxian rubbed his thighs together, trying to squash the building wetness. He forced his eyes away and stationed his mind to think about the food they were about to consume instead. He had spotted a few vendors on their way to the inn, like beef-skewers and his favorite pancakes, the usual steamed bun vendor… He glanced back over to catch sight of some other buns but quickly looked away again, gripping the end of his robe.

When Lan Wangji had finally finished dressing after a painstakingly long list of anti-horny thoughts ran through his head. He got up and walked over to Lan Wangji, pressing a chaste kiss to his lips

Then he gave the prince a smile with mischievous eyes, dashing toward the window and making the first breakaway.

Lan Wangji wasn’t slow and caught up with him, their boots getting muddied in the dirt pathway the window led out to. When they finally made it to the main paved road and dodged all the guards, Wei Wuxian wrapped his arms around one of Lan Wangji’s, his cheek pressed against him.

“So, husband,” he nuzzled into him, “what do you want to do?”

Lan Wangji stiffened but kept walking, “Mh. You get to lead this bergade.”

Wei Wuxian laughed, “It’s probably better that way. Well,” he glanced this way and that way, settling on a restaurant that made his stomach growl by scent alone, “food first.”

He pulled away from Lan Wangji and instead took his hand, dragging him toward the restaurant. Lan Wangji of course followed behind which made Wei Wuxian oblivious to the fact that his eyes only stayed on Wei Wuxian.

The host greeted them with a professional smile. She took in the Lan Clan uniform and quickly made arrangements to sit them in a quieter area inside the establishment.

The man who served them was another omega. Wei Wuxian pretended not to notice his eyes drifting to look at his cinnabar collar.

When the omega server asked what they would like to eat, Wei Wuxian took the liberty of ordering an ample amount of spicy food, pickled dishes and a few desserts, including mooncakes and sesame balls.

The server wrote everything down fast and when he asked for their drink order, Wei Wuxian smiled and said, “Water and hot tea for both. Thank you.”

He watched the server bow and quickly walk away, scurrying toward the kitchen with their order. Wei Wuxian looked at Lan Wangji whose shoulders were tense enough that if a stiff went blew through he’d fear they’d shatter.

“Husband,” he called with a grin across the table, “relax.”

Lan Wangji didn’t relax the way he wanted but visibly let out a breath.

Wei Wuxian huffed a laugh of airy amusement, “You know we haven’t done this in a long time.”

Lan Wangji looked at him with confusion, “We never- oh.”

Wei Wuxian rolled his eyes, “Aiya Lan Zhan, we’re on a date. Please pay attention to me.”

“You always have my full attention.”

“Then relax and chat with me,” Wei Wuxian smiled, pushing a foot underneath the table and swiping it against Lan Wangji’s leg.

“Behave,” Lan Wangji warned.

He snickered and pulled his foot back, “Tell me your favorite things about our three children.”

“Our children…” Lan Wangji blinked.

“Yes, all three I so dutifully provided for my most wonderful husband,” he prompted.

Lan Wangji looked amused and Wei Wuxian felt prideful for it.

“My favorite thing about our children is how they all have your eyes,” he spoke coolly, “our first born boy has your unyielding curiosity yet follows the rules of our clan well, he is forgiving and kind but knows when someone is trying to take advantage of him. Our second is a bit more of a troublemaker, always talking back but I wouldn’t trade that part of him for anything,” he eyed Wei Wuxian intentionally, “and our youngest, our daughter, she is braver than any of us. She will probably be the one protecting the boys.”

Wei Wuxian’s mouth went dry and his heart stopped working. He stared at him with a loss for words.

The server saved him from making a usual fool of himself and set their drinks in their respectful places beside them. Wei Wuxian grabbed the water and made himself busy by drinking it.

At the other side of the table Lan Wangji was smiling to himself, clearly proud he had one up’d the omega.

Wei Wuxian lowered the water down after achieving sufficient hydration, “That was good. You’ve thought about this before, haven’t you?”

“Of course, I think of my wife and children very often.”

Wei Wuxian sputtered. His damned alpha was playing the game better than him! He had to up the sakes.

He smirked and slid a hand over the table much like he did in the privacy of their room, “If you think too much about me we may just end up with more children.”

Lan Wangji took his hand, “If that is what my wife wants.”

“Mm, I mostly just want you. Every day,” he smiled innocently.

Lan Wangji froze and Wei Wuxian was successful once again.

The wide spread dinner and dessert selection had shown up shortly after. Wei Wuxian was practically drooling.

He started with the first spiced plate in front of him, the spicy flavor not quite doing what he wanted. He got the idea to bite into a sesame custard filled bun and fill it with spicy chicken and pickled radish. It was the best tasting flavor he had in his entire life.

Lan Wangji, still completely flabbergasted, was becoming even more confused across the table.

“Wei— wife,” he corrected, “I realize we don’t often have those foods at home but…”

Wei Wuxian finished his atrocious looking bun, “Just testing flavor theory. It’s really quite good, do you wanna try?”

“No, thank you.”

“Suite yourself,” he continued to happily mix flavors that most people would consider abominable for the rest of the meal.

Lan Wangji smiled and shook his head, eating the foods that weren’t going to burn a hole into his stomach. He didn’t once scold Wei Wuxian on the Lan Clan percepts though he was still representing his family.

After they finished their meal and Lan Wangji forked over the coins to pay, Wei Wuxian dragged him to the main courtyard. Music was still lively and street dancers pranced around.

Wei Wuxian’s eyes lit up as he watched with amusement. A few common folk were dancing along with and when the music got slower, so did they.

Lan Wangji did something Wei Wuxian never thought possible, he took Wei Wuxian’s hand and led him to dance. One hand on his hip, the other entwined with his and held outward as he took the lead and swayed them to the gentle tune of the erhu.

Wei Wuxian let himself be led, pressing his cheek against Lan Wangji’s chest and listened to the even beating of his heart. He pulled away to look at his lantern lit face, a soft red hue playing with the shadows of his sharp edges.

“I never knew you could dance,” he whispered.

Lan Wangji corrected Wei Wuxian’s form, “I have taken many classes.”

Wei Wuxian delighted in the contact. When the music picked up, Wei Wuxian took control. He spun out while still holding onto Lan Wangji’s hand and twirled back in, leaning over so Lan Wangji dipped him low enough his ponytail pooled onto the floor.

Lan Wangji pulled him back up and spun him back out, he let go and met him in the middle to reconnect. Wei Wuxian tapped the underside of his chin with his finger and gyrated around him. Lan Wangji placed a hand on his waist to make sure the omega orbited around him alone.

When Wei Wuxian tried to pull away, Lan Wangji scooped him up from under his knees, another arm propping his back up. He spun them around twice before letting him back onto his feet, Wei Wuxian turned outward and Lan Wangji pulled him back. He collided into his chest, Lan Wangji holding him as if he were the most precious object in the world. The music came to an erupted end and clapping surrounded them.

Wei Wuxian was embarrassingly out of breath and forgot there were other people looking at them. He smiled as a thank you and looked to Lan Wangji again, bringing his knuckles up to kiss, “My husband spoils me.”

Lan Wangji pushed a strand of hair behind the omega’s ear, “Let me get you water.”

He led the omega to a bench that overlooked the ruckus of the nightlife. Wei Wuxian sat down with a smile.

“Stay,” Lan Wangji instructed with a squeeze of his hand, when he walked away, Wei Wuxian let go at the last possible second.

He sat alone and watched as Lan Wangji disappeared into the crowd.

A few bystanders were drinking around him, as to be expected. But two specific people were watching him with a drink to their lips.

“Is there something I can help you ladies with?” Wei Wuxian asked two alpha women to the side of him, their eyes lingering on him since Lan Wangji departed. He didn’t feel threatened in the least.

“We’re just wondering why a pretty omega like you is collared, that’s all,” one of them answered. Her accented voice was full of compliments.

He smiled at her, “I enjoy my collar, thank you very much.”

Her friend laughed and shook her head, “Not with the way you’re looking at that man you don’t.”

He frowned, “Is it that obvious?”

“Oh extremely," the first alpha answered. “I’ve never seen an omega look so ravishly at an alpha. It was confusing at first.”

He laughed this time and turned to look at them. They were both beautiful women, ones he would have flirted with in his youth to get his way. But they certainly were not his type now. They were too far away for him to pick up their scents, but he knew getting closer would irritate his nose.

“I do ravish him on the daily so perhaps that's why,” he smirked.

“And he hasn’t claimed you?” The friend whistled, “That’s strength.”

Wei Wuxian scoffed, “What if I just haven’t offered him to?”

“Would you let him?” The first alpha asked this time.

Wei Wuxian blinked, “Maybe.”

Yes. Yes he would. But a bond was as good as a marriage in their society. Lan Wangji had the empire to look after first and foremost, not Wei Wuxian or their unborn child. And a primal part of him feared that one sided bond. Even if he dreamed of being second in importance, the empire came first. Not that these two alphas knew who they were.

“Well, if you ever change your mind…” She flicked a bundled piece of paper his way, Wei Wuxian instinctively caught it with one hand and looked it over to see an address scribbled across it.

He smiled at her, “I am flattered.”

They were drunk, and he was far from interested, not to mention pregnant. But telling them that would only be like arguing with a wall.

Lan Wangji happened to come back right at that moment. Wei Wuxian shot up and approached him fearing the prince may have taken any of that the wrong way and prepared himself to get in between.

Lan Wangji wrapped an arm around him possessively and looked at the two women who were still eyeing Wei Wuxian.

“Flattered by what?” Lan Wangji asked, his eyes still focused on the two other alpha’s.

The friend smiled and leaned against the table they were drinking at, “Your pretty little omega was just telling us about how itchy his collar is.”

Lan Wangji’s growl was low.

Wei Wuxian put a hand on Lan Wangji’s chest, “Don’t. Let’s go.”

“You left him all alone, what do you expect?” The friend kept pressing, “He’s exquisite and unbonded, of course people are going to look. Not to mention no ring.”

Wei Wuxian felt Lan Wangji take a step toward the women. Wei Wuxian threw himself between and put both hands on his chest, “Stop.”

“We were just giving him options,” the first alpha added.

Wei Wuxian smelt Lan Wangji’s scent spike into threatening territories. He leaned up and nuzzled into his neck in an attempt at calming him down which went unnoticed.

“You will look away from him,” Lan Wangji intimidated with another low growl.

Wei Wuxian was going to scream at him if he didn’t walk away.

“Fine, fine,” the first alpha smiled, more than likely catching sight of Bichen. “But don’t lose that paper, little omega. In case you get bored.”

Wei Wuxian grabbed Lan Wangji’s arm and pulled him with all his might. It was somewhat successful but he refused to take his eyes off the drunk women.

“They’re drunk, leave them,” he begged.

“Not drunk enough to realize wasted potential,” the friend just had to keep going, “a shame you’re messing with an alpha like him. He may be a cultivator but he clearly isn’t committed.”

Wei Wuxian was starting to get irritated himself, the assumptions were bad enough.

“I am fine with what I have,” Wei Wuxian bit out.

“Hear that? He’s fine with it,” the friend laughed with the first alpha.

Lan Wangji was going to lunge if he didn’t get him away. So he did what he knew always got the attention of others, he pretended to faint.

And like always, it worked. Lan Wangji turned and caught him immediately and took him to another bench, far away from the two alpha women who continued to cat-call.

Lan Wangji set him down and Wei Wuxian acted as if he was lost, feigning innocence.

“Wei Ying, you’re fine,” Lan Wangji frowned.

Wei Wuxian dropped the act. He quietly looked up at the steaming alpha and followed his instincts to start nuzzling at him again, wanting to pry away that angry spiked scent.

Lan Wangji gently pushed him back by his shoulders but the omega persisted, pulling his knees onto the bench and pushing forward. Lan Wangji gave in and let him do as he pleased.

Once Wei Wuxian was satisfied with his work he pulled back, “I wasn’t in any danger.”

“You shouldn’t be engaging in conversation with random alpha’s,” Lan Wangji didn’t move while Wei Wuxian fussed over his robes.

“They are drunk and I chose my words carefully, rejecting them would have caused them to be more interested.”

“You are unbonded,” Lan Wangji took his wrists, “and I shouldn’t have left you alone.”

“Really? Unbonded? I didn’t notice,” Wei Wuxian teased. “I used to do this alone all the time, Lan Zhan. I’m more than capable of handling rowdy alpha’s.”

That was a smidge of a lie, Jiang Cheng was continuously scolding him for doing just the same but it was meant to be comforting knowledge.

Lan Wangji looked borderline horrified, “You do not need to get used to that.”

Wei Wuxian’s lips downturned, he took his hand and tapped the cinnabar collar with his index finger, “Even if I wanted to be bonded— which I don’t— your court holds the key to this. I can’t take this off.”

“You don’t want to be bonded?” Lan Wangji’s expression twisted into something else entirely.

“Well, I guess it’s more like I can't be. How could I be?” He laughed, “I am your consort, not a free cultivator or common villager with a choice.”

It wasn’t meant to sound bitter but Lan Wangji looked as though he had slapped him in the face.

“Regardless of if they could or could not claim you, there are still plenty of other threats to be poised by drunk alphas,” he grabbed Wei Wuxian’s hand and lowered it from touching his own collar.

Wei Wuxian forgot about his common sense, he forgot he wasn’t supposed to touch it while in public.

“Nothing happened,” he balled his fists into his lap, “I am fine, like you said.”

“Wei Ying—“

“Please, let's just stop. I know I’m an omega, I know I’m unbonded and I know I belong to the court, okay? I am constantly reminded,” he looked away from Lan Wangji and stared off at nothing in particular, “I am never not going to remember that.”

Lan Wangji observed him and said nothing more. He took Wei Wuxian’s hand and stood him back up. They started walking down the main road, past all the vendors and lively people. He didn’t lead them anywhere in particular, just on a walk through the town.

Wei Wuxian’s mood settled down while he held on to Lan Wangji much like he did when they first left the inn. He leaned his head against the other man’s shoulder and looked at all the lanterns. They came across a group of children who were making their very own paper lanterns as instructed by the same woman who had apologized to them earlier. Lan Wangji had them keep their distance but allowed Wei Wuxian to watch.

He could hear the woman instructing them with a soft but firm voice. There was no intention of actually letting these lanterns fly, not yet. She was just entertaining them and prepping them for an actual lantern ceremony.

Wei Wuxian smiled while watching their tiny little hands struggle with the ink pens, drawing whatever came to mind. For the most part all of the drawings were a little less than perfect but there were a few talented kids in the bunch.

Lan Wangji pulled Wei Wuxian closer to him, wrapping an arm around his waist.

The night air was getting colder and people started to head inside when rainclouds filled the starry sky, another storm threatening to come in. Lan Wangji started to guide them back to their inn, his eyes on alert for the imperial guards.

They had just cut the corner of the street when the rain started to pour, Lan Wangji quickly covering Wei Wuxian’s head with his sleeve.

Wei Wuxian grinned toothily and took his hands into his, lowering the sleeve so the rain hit his face, “I’ve always wanted to do this,” he called over the loud noise of rain hitting the concrete.

He grabbed Lan Wangji’s face and leaned up to kiss him, both of them getting soaked to the bone. Lan Wangji put his arms around his waist and lifted him up.

Wei Wuxian’s legs wrapped around him as they always did, he kept one hand on his cheek and the other around the nape of his neck to deepen the kiss while towering over him in the embrace.

He felt Lan Wangji’s smile against his lips.

He pulled back but hovered right above his lips, stroking his hand down his cheek, “Take me to bed.”

Lan Wangji didn’t need any further instruction. He held onto the omega and walked them both back to the inn’s window. Wei Wuxian crawled in, the floor becoming a mess of mud and water as he kicked off his boots. Lan Wangji grabbed him before he could even bother with his soaked robe and started the kiss right back up again as if starved, backing him into a wall.

Wei Wuxian kept unrobbing his top while managing to keep his lips attached, his thigh hiked up to rest between the alpha’s legs. Once he successfully got his own top off he grabbed at Lan Wangji’s and started stripping him.

Lan Wangji pulled away with a bite to his lower lip and started to pepper kisses across his bare, wet shoulders. His normally stick straight hair was plastered across his face from the rain in an array of tendrils. Something about seeing his alpha not put together was even more attractive.

Wei Wuxian let the man kiss his shoulders, chest, and collarbones, continuing to pull off Lan Wangji’s pants. He tilted his head when he got to the top of his collar, a pulsating sensation throbbed between his legs.

He felt the alpha’s thumbs dig into his hips.

“Careful,” he cried out a little with a jolt, scared for his womb.

The alpha pulled back and looked at him, scared he’d hurt him.

Wei Wuxian smiled timidly and quickly backtracked, “Just sore there.”

Lan Wangji retracted his thumbs as if they got burned, instead raising them to hold Wei Wuxian’s waist. Wei Wuxian took the small grace of Lan Wangji’s pause to officially rid the alpha of his rain-soaked pants.

The omega always cherished taking in the sight of the purely nude form in front of him. He gently grabbed at the front Lan Wangji’s wet hair, “You know I said ‘bed’ right?”

Lan Wangji’s response was to pick him up and carry him to bed with much more care than he normally took. He laid the omega down so his back was on the bed and legs were hanging off, doing him the favor of removing his pants, placing cold lipped kisses over his exposed belly and hips.

Wei Wuxian watched him with a full heart.

“Wei Ying,” Lan Wangji spoke.

“Mmh?” He sat up and reached down to cup the alpha’s face between his hands.

Lan Wangji stayed between his legs, “Your scent is off.”

Wei Wuxian felt like he was experiencing whiplash with how fast the mood changed. The air stiffened and Wei Wuxian’s horny mind thwarted.

“How so?” He rubbed his thumbs across his cheeks. He could widdle his way around this.

Lan Wangji’s eyes were darkening, “It smells like another.”

Fuck.

Wei Wuxian was going to have to either find an explanation for this, tell him the truth he desperately wanted to wait for, or protect his own unborn child from their fathers feral self if all went south.

“Mm,” Wei Wuxian leaned down and kissed his forehead, “it was raining and I’ve been taking the physician's tonics and injections as instructed. There has been no one else.”

Lan Wangji thrusted away from him with force, making Wei Wuxian’s heart stop. He had never tried to get away from him before.

“Those alphas,” Lan Wangji growled.

Wei Wuxian's throat was tight, “Lan Zhan you left me for three minutes and those alphas weren’t even close enough for me to smell.”

Lan Wangji gripped the bedframe in favor of replacing his hands off of Wei Wuxian, the bedframe splintering under his grip.

Wei Wuxian jumped at the noise. He made a quick move to grab Lan Wangji’s arm and slink down off the bed and between his arms and the bedframe.

“Lan Zhan, look at me,” he pleaded softly.

Lan Wangji met his gaze with a fire burning behind his eyes.

He was lying to himself if he said he wasn’t scared. If it were just him, he wouldn’t be. But his unannounced pregnancy was lingering in the air and Lan Wangji wasn’t buying his excuse.

“No one has touched me since you’ve taken me,” he whispered, putting his hand onto his locked jaw, “It has to be the tonics and new foods combined. My body is coping. Please, Lan Zhan. I am yours and only yours.”

It was more than just wanting to enjoy himself in Yunmeng for why he wanted to hide this pregnancy. He didn’t want to face it but he feared his body wouldn’t be able to hold onto their child. The Yin energy that lingered in his golden core could potentially lead to losing the child they’d successfully conceived. It was an awful fate to befall any omega but he would bear the burden of that knowledge alone than let his alpha know he failed his one duty.

Wei Wuxian’s eyes were watering under the alpha’s doubt. Lan Wangji had scrutinized him, he’d reprimanded him for talking back but he had never doubted him.

“Please, Lan Zhan,” he cautiously tucked his head under his chin and breathed his thickened scent.

“Excuse me,” Lan Wangji’s voice was strained as he moved to get up.

Wei Wuxian didn’t think before he made the lunge forward and grabbed Lan Wangji’s hand, tugging him back down to match his fury.

“You are not going to walk away and ignore me for weeks again because something out of your control is happening,” Wei Wuxian growled, his fear being thrown to the wind with the idea of his enraged alpha walking out and leaving him alone.

Lan Wangji’s fists clenched but he fell back into the position Wei Wuxian tugged him in. He didn’t look at the omega.

Wei Wuxian let go and turned around to grab the sheets off the bed, tucking it around himself in a feeble attempt at hiding his scent.

“I will get dressed and take scent suppressants for the remainder of my treatment,” he spoke distantly, “you said the physician's assistant is here, I can ask them for a supply.”

The idea of merely talking to the assistant made his skin crawl. He made his move to get up and Lan Wangji grabbed his hand.

“Do not do that for me,” Lan Wangji still looked wrong, his face in a subtle contortion of confusion.

“I will do anything if it’s for you,” Wei Wuxian whispered.

Lan Wangji pulled him back in, “You without a scent would be worse.”

“Then what do you want me to do?” He snapped, “I cannot change my scent and you can’t stand it. If you walk out I wont be able to sleep and you wont let me fix it!”

He was trying to hold it together but he could feel the emotions pooling inside his chest. Lan Wangji had no idea what was actually happening in his body but it still managed to seep its way into feeling like he was rejecting their child, logic not tying in with his instinctive intuition.

Lan Wangji looked as though he was assessing him in a new light and Wei Wuxian hated it. He pulled away and backed up from the judgement.

The sob tipped over and sat back down on the bed, tucking himself into a ball under the sheets and falling onto his side. His scent was growing very different but he knew it was a new life inside of him that he already deeply loved. Lan Wangji just thought it was wrong.

“Just go then,” Wei Wuxian choked.

Lan Wangji made no move to touch him, or any move at all, silently sitting there as the omega was crying.

“Go!” Wei Wuxian growled again, overwhelmed with emotion.

Lan Wangji crawled into the bed and pulled Wei Wuxian into his chest. He felt far too stiff but he was trying.

Wei Wuxian couldn’t accept how unnatural it felt, he pushed away and pulled himself into the corner, tucking his legs into his arms. It was going to eat him alive to hide this but he was set on it.

“Wei Ying.”

“No,” he felt tears fall down his cheeks as he pulled his legs in closer, “you’re treating me all wrong. You’re forcing yourself to touch me and it makes me feel awful.”

Lan Wangji grabbed him and pulled him back against his chest, “Let me hold you.”

Wei Wuxian fought in his arms, trying to get away.

The alpha did not let up, “Wei Ying, I can’t get used to your developing scent if you don’t let me hold you.”

He stopped fighting but leaned away from the unnatural contact. Lan Wangji was pressing his nose to his neck where Wei Wuxian assumed he’d smelt the same considering his scent wasn't a problem until his pants came off.

Lan Wangji let go and Wei Wuxian fell back into the corner. The alpha grabbed his legs and spread them open, making his way to his inner thighs, his nose brushing all the while. His legs spread open naturally for the man in front of him but he couldn’t help the sobs still coming.

The alpha put a hand on one thigh and lifted his head, trailing his lips across Wei Wuxian’s stomach and up to his jaw. He left a kiss there and moved the hand upward, toward the center of his legs.

Wei Wuxian put his own hand over his mouth while he tried to collect himself, “I’m sorry.”

Lan Wangji’s hand stopped in its trek, “Do not apologize to me.”

“I’m sorry my scent is changing I—“

Lan Wangji put his head down and bit his hip, making the omega gasp in surprise.

“It isn’t bad, Wei Ying. Your scent is still yours,” Lan Wangji said after getting his attention and avoiding the omega’s self beating tangent.

Wei Wuxian stared at him, his legs still wide open, “But you hate it.”

“I could never hate anything that’s you. Your body is changing for me.”

He wasn’t entirely wrong but the alpha was fed the wrong information. His body was changing for him but not just with tonics and injections.

“Prove it,” he sniffled.

Lan Wangji’s eyes glinted in the night when he looked up at him, still positioned by his hip.

Wei Wuxian ran his hands down his own body and placed his fingers just above his slit in front of Lan Wangji’s face as enticement. He started to rub himself, a soft moan escaped his lips as a tear ran down his reddened eyes.

Lan Wangji pulled back but still stayed within the omega’s orbit, looking far too interested in this charade.

The omega could smell the interest wafting off of the alpha and leaned back against the bedframe so he was half sat up, putting a foot onto Lan Wangji’s thigh with his legs still propped up. He slid his fingers down further and popped his middle and ring fingers into himself.

He thrust his own fingers with pleasure and let himself go, gifting the alpha’s ears a chorus of whines and excessive moans.

He purposefully avoided his actual pleasure spot to save that for the man in front of him once he got his way, tactfully trying to sashay Lan Wangji on top of him. The moans were purposeful and growing louder, exaggerating his pleasure in hopes of making the alpha think he wasn’t needed for this. Bratty, but a good plan.

Lan Wangji grabbed his wrist and made him pull out of himself, taking the two fingers that had been inside and popped them into his mouth, sucking on them with direct eye contact. Wei Wuxian throbbed at the sight.

“Good alpha,” Wei Wuxian purred and sat up, scooting closer. He pushed his fingers in deeper and watched Lan Wangji greedily take them, his tongue lapping around them.

When Lan Wangji had his fill, Wei Wuxian retracted his hand and grabbed at the alpha’s cock between them with soaked fingers. He squeezed him and started the lazy pumping that made the alpha tilt.

Lan Wangji’s breath hitched, he rushed forward and pressed his lips against Wei Wuxian’s, the same starving force from earlier arising between them that pushed Wei Wuxian’s back onto the bed.

Wei Wuxian kept pumping the member with his other hand gripping at the back of the alpha’s head. He took a handful of his hair and pulled, making the alpha growl against their connected lips.

He couldn’t help the amused giggle. Lan Wangji pulled away and bit his bottom lip hard which pulled a “ow!” out of Wei Wuxian.

“Behave,” the alpha warned him.

Wei Wuxian laughed with a sparkle in his eyes, “I am on my best behavior.”

He rubbed the tip of his cock with his thumb, leaning up and kissing his cheek.

Lan Wangji sat up and grabbed Wei Wuxian’s hand off of him. He positioned himself between his legs and Wei Wuxian lifted his hips in anticipation.

The alpha dove in, taking both of Wei Wuxian’s hands now and intertwining them with his so they rested beside Wei Wuxian’s head. He lazily thrusted into him and avoided the spot he knew Wei Wuxian craved while holding his hands so the omega couldn’t use them.

Wei Wuxian knew he was being teased. He glared up at him, “More.”

The last time he made demands he was in heat. Lan Wangji looked at him curiously, bottoming out and ceasing his thrust.

Wei Wuxian growled and wiggled his hips to no avail, Lan Wangji was holding back on him.

“Lan Zhan,” he pouted, “if you don’t start to ram into me I am going to cry.”

“Then you should learn to behave.”

Wei Wuxian gawked at him, “How could I have possibly done anything wrong? I’ve been such a good omega to you all night.”

Lan Wangji did not look convinced.

Wei Wuxian rolled his body underneath, his waist still trapped and pushed down. Feeling Lan Wangji pulse inside of him did make it worthwhile but he needed the alpha to move.

“Fine, fine, fine. What can I do to make it up to my dignified alpha?” He asked innocently, “It was so rude of me to pull your hair. How could I ever repent for my sins?” Wei Wuxian was giving his best pout underneath Lan Wangji.

Lan Wangji leaned down and bit his shoulder, hard.

“Ow, ow, ow!” Wei Wuxian cried out, “Lan Zhan let go! This is not— gah! This is not fair, let go! I didn’t pull your hair that hard, you dog!”

Lan Wangji let go and licked at the indented skin. Wei Wuxian pulled his shoulder as much as he could away from the alpha.

“Behave,” Lan Wangji kissed up his shoulder and to his neck.

Wei Wuxian sniffled a fake cry, “So mean to me. All I do is praise my handsome, breathtaking, most splendid alpha and he bites me like a dog.”

He felt Lan Wangji’s lips turn into a smile against his neck.

“And you find it amusing! That’s the worst part! My fear of dogs and biting is not for your amusement, it is very real,” he continued.

Lan Wangji started to roll his hips again, thrusting into the omega.

Wei Wuxian’s breath hitched at the feeling, “And then— nnggh—“

He rolled his head back when Lan Wangji started to hit the spot that always made him shut up. Lan Wangji was spoiling his neck with kisses, coming over to pepper his face next.

Wei Wuxian had his head arched and mouth open with soft moans escaping, his senses were heightened and he could thank his early pregnancy for that.

Lan Wangji had beckoned his face forward and met his mouth. He kissed him with force, pushing his head back against the bed. Wei Wuxian lifted his chest up and arched his back, his nails forcing small crescent shaped indents into Lan Wangji’s knuckles.

The restraint felt good but he wanted the alpha’s hands on him. He lifted his legs and wrapped them around Lan Wangji’s waist, trying to get the alpha to go deeper. He pressed his stomach flush up against Lan Wangji’s.

“Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan,” Wei Wuxian moaned out against his lips, “be good and let go of my hands. You need to hold my waist up, my legs are tired.”

Lan Wangji let go and immediately grabbed Wei Wuxian’s hips, arching them upward.

He smiled with a breathless laugh, “You are so good to me.”

Lan Wangji’s nails dug into the back of his hips as he continued to thrust. Wei Wuxian started to drag his nails down the alpha’s back when his thrust picked up.

“Keep kissing me,” he pleaded with another moan, “finish inside of me and kiss me while you do it.”

Their lips met again and Wei Wuxian snaked his tongue in immediately, craving the taste of Lan Wangji. He could faintly taste his own slick inside his mouth from previously which only made him peel over more.

His nails did damage to Lan Wangji’s back after a while and Lan Wangji had definitely left bruises on the omega’s hind. His arms finally came to rest around Lan Wangji as he continued to thrust inside.

Lan Wangji hit his spot a few more times and pushed Wei Wuxian over the edge. He pulled away from the kiss as an orgasm took over and Lan Wangji bit onto his lower lip. Wei Wuxian had tears in his eyes but Lan Wangji hadn’t quite finished yet.

He continued to thrust into the over sensitised omega, pressing his lips back onto Wei Wuxian’s whimpering ones. It only took a few more thrusts and Wei Wuxian’s sanity to spill inside of him, his knot setting in place and keeping his seed inside. Lan Wangji pulled away from the kiss and instead focused on kissing around Wei Wuxian’s chest.

Wei Wuxian was sweating despite the cold air flowing through the still open window, both of their hair damp from the rain and sticking in every direction.

Wei Wuxian tucked Lan Wangji’s head underneath his chin and pulled a blanket over them. He carded his fingers through the alpha’s hair, “I’m not going to forgive that bite.”

He could feel Lan Wangji’s breath of amusement rush out of his nose.

“Seriously, it hurt!” He tugged at the back of his hair with much less force than what got him into trouble.

“You deserved it,” Lan Wangji said.

“Deserved it?” Wei Wuxian frowned, “I thought pulling on hair was something you would like. Forgive me for trying something new.”

Lan Wangji looked up at him, “I will forgive you if you forgive me.”

Wei Wuxian pouted, “Deal.”

Lan Wangji rolled them so Wei Wuxian was on top, still attached by his knot, “Wei Ying?”

“Hmm?” Wei Wuxian yawned.

“Did you enjoy yourself today?” He pulled Wei Wuxian down so his head rested on his chest.

“Very much,” Wei Wuxian answered sleepily.

Lan Wangji started to run fingers through the omega’s hair this time.

“Lan Zhan?” The omega asked softly.

Lan Wangji kissed the crown of his head, wrapping his arms around Wei Wuxian’s back, “Mh?”

“Thank you for keeping your promise.”

Lan Wangji didn’t respond. Wei Wuxian had already fallen fast asleep safe and secured in Lan Wangji’s arms, his breathing soft and even.

Chapter Text

Morning woke Wei Wuxian with its effortless cold silver light. He was still laying on Lan Wangji, pinning the man down with his cheek pressed against his chest. He listened to the beating of his heart, soft and soothing.

Somehow, after being someone who rose at Wu time, he started waking up much earlier than normal, even before the Mao time man himself. It was a treat though, being able to watch the sleeping alpha’s chest rise and fall, his long eyelashes flutter in sleep, the resting beat of his heart.

Lan Wangji was completely vulnerable to him right now. He had never had a chance to watch someone in their most unprotected state before him, no one treated him without hostility besides his adoptive family and that was an entirely different dynamic.

Wei Wuxian carefully lifted himself up to hover over the alpha, his knees resting beside both sides of Lan Wangji’s hips on the bed. He pressed a kiss to Lan Wangji’s sleeping lips, playfully flicking his tongue against his bottom lip.

Lan Wangji woke up and immediately put his arms back around the omega, pulling him flush against his chest once more. Wei Wuxian whined a little at the restraint but only to complain, he loved being held down by him.

“Lan Zhan,” he whispered, “you’re sleeping in so late these days, mm? It’s already close to Wu time.”

He was joking of course, just to get a rise out of the alpha.

Lan Wangji rumbled, “Mh,” in response. Not buying the joke.

Wei Wuxian took his hands and ran them along the sides of Lan Wangji’s torso, feeling every groove of his defined body, “You sleep so peacefully.”

Lan Wangji tucked Wei Wuxian’s head under his chin and pulled him in closer, “We’ll get to Yunmeng today.”

Wei Wuxian was excited and nervous at the same time to see his family. He knew his jiejie was going to immediately pick up on his new antics and morning sickness. White lying to Lan Wangji with medicines and his scent changing was one thing but another omega— one who has already given birth— is different.

He rubbed his cheek against Lan Wangji’s chest, “Will you please ride with me again?”

“Of course.”

Wei Wuxian peered up at him, “Lan Zhan.”

“Mh?” He met his gaze.

“We have to get up.”

Lan Wangji looked up at the window as if he didn’t believe Wei Wuxian, “We do.”

And yet he made no move to get up.

Wei Wuxian laughed lightly, “Wen Ning needs to give me my treatment. You should get dressed and ready as well.”

It wasn’t exactly a lie, he was due for the fertility injection but he mostly wanted Lan Wangji to walk out of the room if only for a second so he could gauge how nauseated he was once he got up. It was awful vomiting, and doing it in front of Lan Wangji was downright embarrassing.

Lan Wangji squeezed him into his chest one last time before finally parting, leaving Wei Wuxian bundled in the bedding. Wei Wuxian swapped Lan Wangji’s chest out for one of the pillows, laying on his side while he watched Lan Wangji change.

When he was done changing he came and brushed his lips against the side of his head, “I will send in Wen Ning.”

Wei Wuxian nodded with a smile, “Thank you, your highness.”

Lan Wangji nipped his ear and walked out of the room.

The omega was giddy, he flipped on his stomach and brought the pillow to smush into his face as he let out a joyful squeal. He was playing it cool, but having the complete attention of the second crown prince of the entire empire was definitely a compliment.

Their night, albeit the small miscommunications and crying, was everything he could hope for. He may have been against the idea of bearing a child for the empire before but at least they would be for Lan Wangji, the only alpha he has ever craved. Maybe it had only been a few days he’s known about his pregnancy but he was succeeding at it thus far.

The door had slid back open almost immediately after Lan Wangji’s departure and Wei Wuxian was still kicking his legs like a little girl with a crush.

Wen Ning’s voice called out, “Young master! Are you okay?”

Wei Wuxian popped his head up and looked at the servant with a playful frown, “No! His highness is swooning me nonstop and I think I’m going to explode.”

The edges of Wen Ning’s alert eyes upturned into a smile, “I thought you were crying.”

Wei Wuxian laid his head down, “That’s fair. I do that a lot lately.”

“It’s to be expected,” Wen Ning answered and walked over to his master’s bags with intention to pull out whatever robes he’d planned for Wei Wuxian to wear today, “I know we haven’t gotten back from Yunmeng but I assume you’re still keeping this to yourself?”

Wei Wuxian nodded with a laugh, “Wen Ning, you’re just as good as the rest of the world. Wanting all the gossip about the palace.”

“I just want to be sure to watch what I say,” he pulled out a dark purple robe with golden lotus print trailing along the outer ends.

Wei Wuxian sat up and immediately felt his stomach churn. He pulled off the bed and sat beside another basin Wen Ning must have brought in before the room had been occupied.

“Mm,” he felt his mouth watering but the bile stayed down for now, “Lan Zhan did notice my scent has changed.”

Wen Ning looked over at him with more concern, “And how did you get out of that?”

Wei Wuxian put his fingers to his lips and tapped them as if he were thinking, “Lets see… I started to touch myself and then he took my fingers and put them inside hi—“

Wen Ning turned a bright red, “Young master, I mean no offense, but I don’t mean to know those details.”

Wei Wuxian giggled, “You asked! But really, I just told him the medicine was changing my scent. Which is true. It’s just a lot more drastic.”

Wen Ning nodded but still looked concerned, “Young master… His highness is going to get suspicious. Maybe it would be wise to tell him before we depart today, your family may give away glances that tell him the truth.”

Wei Wuxian frowned, “Only my jiejie will realize. And I will talk to her once we arrive. Jiang Cheng will be too busy bickering with me.”

Wen Ning sighed but nodded, “I will do my part on keeping this secret, then.”

Wei Wuxian started to get up once he felt the sickness subside. He was going to let Wen Ning finally put him together when the first two steps he took sickness rose and he turned around in a rush to expel the bile.

He groaned against the basin and held onto it for dear life, “This is so unfair.”

Wen Ning held back a laugh and started to brush his hair with supplies he’d pulled out earlier, “That’s the beauty of a soon-to-be-mother.”

“I take it back,” Wei Wuxian coughed, “Lan Zhan can make his own babies.”

The rest of the morning was easier, he managed to eat two whole vegetable buns and a bowl of rice. He drank the same chamomile tea Wen Ning had mastered at preparing as if it were the answer to all his problems.

When the carriages were ready, Lan Wangji personally fetched him and looked over his appearance. He reached out and brushed a piece of his hair back, “You look lovely.”

Wei Wuxian felt his cheeks redden, he bowed, “Your highness. Shall we start heading to Lotus Pier?”

Lan Wangji nodded and took his hand into his, dragging him to the carriages. Wei Wuxian observed the city in morning light, only a few workers were out while the nightlife crowd had well disappeared. He wanted to visit again, when they actually had those three children.

Once they got settled into the carriages he scooted close to Lan Wangji, leaning his done up hair against his shoulder. Lan Wangji put an arm around his waist and the carriage lugged forward, toward Yunmeng.

When Wei Wuxian started to doze, he realized he was about to meet Jin Ling. His stomach filled with butterflies at the thought. A little six month old with no ability to walk yet. He always thought children were adorable little drunk humans, running into things and falling on their asses. But he never held one. And today he just might. No, today he would hold a little Jin Ling.

His hand drifted back to his stomach and Lan Wangji’s face turned to look down at him, “Are you feeling sick again?”

Wei Wuxian nodded, “Just motion sickness again… Hey, Lan Zhan?” He peeled away to look at him.

“Hm?”

“When we do have a child… How long does he have to act like an actual child before he has to start Lan Clan duties?” He asked him with curious eyes.

Lan Wangji answered easily, “We start our lessons at three years old… ‘He’?”

Wei Wuxian nodded, “You said our first born will be a boy.”

Lan Wangji’s lips fell into a soft smile, “I did.”

Wei Wuxian looked down at his stomach then with a dramatic sigh, “I’m going to get big carrying your babies. Also, three years old?” He cried a little, looking back to Lan Wangji, “Aiya, he’s never going to want to come out. I’m going to have to evict my poor baby.”

Lan Wangji kissed his forehead while Wei Wuxian entertained his own wild thoughts.

“On second thought,” Wei Wuxian smiled and looked back down at his hand and though he was feigning sickness, they were talking about pregnancy so he could get away with it, “He will be your child. The first thing he’ll want to do after birth is attend a meeting with his boring baba.”

Lan Wangji kept quiet but pulled his waist closer.

“But I’m still going to teach him how to climb trees and catch fish. I won't let him be that obedient,” he teased.

“Mh.”

“But he’ll probably be smarter than me. And kinder,” he frowned with a horrified look, “oh no.”

Lan Wangji frowned at the sudden change in mood, “What?”

“He may be taller than me.”

Lan Wangji shook his head, “You and I are nearly equal height.”

“Exactly! He’s going to either get taller than me or the same height and that’s just as insulting. What if he does take after me? He’s going to be cocky,” Wei Wuxian grumbled and folded his arms across his chest.

Lan Wangji left the grumbling, yet amusing, omega to his own ramblings, turning to pull the curtain and look outside with another ghost of a smile across his lips.

The rest of the ride was more than a blur. Wei Wuxian eventually fell asleep leaning against Lan Wangji’s arm and when he woke up it was close to sunset. The carriage had already trudged its way through the entire journey and he woke to the familiar noises of Yunmeng.

The splashing of water and creaking of piers caught his attention first, immediately rousing him from slumber. He jumped off of Lan Wangji’s arm and pulled the curtain on his side to find that they were right outside the city to board the ferry and ride to Lotus Pier.

Wei Wuxian was practically vibrating.

Lan Wangji took his hand and gently pulled him from the curtain, “Wei Ying.”

Wei Wuxian looked at him with a bright smile.

Lan Wangji took his chin between his thumb and index finger, “While we are here, it is still a visit for the crown. I am to discuss politics with clan leader Jiang Fengmian.”

Wei Wuxian nodded with the same smile, “Yes, yes, yes, I know. And I am to behave and make sure to represent the crown and such.”

Lan Wangji kept their eye contact, “Do not make me worry about you.”

“I’ll be good,” he leaned up to steal one last kiss before they entered the outside world. He knew from here on it would be nothing but political between them in the public eye, and though he craved to continue fondling and jumping the alpha with his swift mood swings, he was too thrilled to see his old home he fought to protect.

And he was good. For as good as Wei Wuxian could be.

The moment the ferry got closer to Lotus Pier, Wei Wuxian was already dashing toward the edge of the boat and nearly fell off. One of the ferry masters managed to put an arm out in front of his chest before he could have easily fallen in, protecting the consort.

“Wei Ying, sit down,” Lan Wangji scolded from behind him.

Wei Wuxian was oblivious to even tipping over and ignored the scolding. He gripped the side of the ferry and bounced on his toes until the ferry got close enough to the docks.

The air was cool but warmer in comparison to the last few rainy days, meaning more people were visiting and purchasing from the famous vendors. In the distance he could see the sparks amidst snow Jin Clan robes walking along the pondside mingling with the crowds that frequented Lotus Pier, and a vibrant purple that was only meant Jiang Yanli beside them.

Before the ferry even touched the pier, Wei Wuxian had scrambled off. His foot slipped and dipped into the water but he managed to balance out and run toward the crowd.

“Wei Ying—!” Lan Wangji called after him.

Wei Wuxian knew the pondside city like the back of his hand. He quickly snaked through the crowd and watched his footing. A few people made startled noises as he slinked past.

Jiang Yanli originally had her back turned to him but with all the noises coming from behind she’d turned around with a bundle in her arms that could only be Jin Ling.

“A-Xian!” She smiled when his arms wrapped around her faster than she could blink, making a Jin-Ling-sandwich between them.

“Jiejie,” Wei Wuxian breathed her in.

Jiang Yanli smiled into the embrace and managed to get one arm out to hug him back with practiced ease of balancing Jin Ling between.

She laughed softly, her voice sounding sweet and airy, “A-Xian, you’re squishing us.”

Wei Wuxian pulled away and looked down at a disgruntled baby with a vermilion mark between his eyes. He quickly dropped his hands, “I’m sorry, little Jin Ling.”

“Consort Wei Wuxian,” Jin Zixuan greeted him from beside Jiang Yanli with a bow.

“Pea— I mean, sect hier Jin Zixuan,” he bowed in respect.

Jin Zixuan didn’t exactly look happy to see Wei Wuxian but content enough to see Jiang Yanli happy. He didn’t say anything more but suddenly tensed up looking beyond Wei Wuxian.

“Your highness,” Jiang Yanli addressed and both of them bowed.

Wei Wuxian stepped to the side, momentarily forgetting he’d left Lan Wangji in the dust to rush onto the docks and present some very un-consort-like behavior. He was bound to get scolded later.

Lan Wangji stayed a distance beyond all three of them and Wei Wuxian guessed it had to do with how tense Jin Zixuan had gotten with the presence of an unbonded, powerful, alpha in front of his new wife and child. Two guards stood behind him and his imperial advisor who’d taken a different ferry was a few more steps back.

“Sect heir Jin Zixuan, Jiang Yanli,” he greeted them, “it is good to see you are doing well.”

Wei Wuxian smiled and turned to look at Jin Ling again, “He’s beautiful, jiejie.”

She smiled up at him when she rose from her bow, “He is a good child. Will you hold him, A-Xian?”

Wei Wuxian blinked a few times, “Uh—“

It was too late. He was already being guided on how to hold a baby by the time he could articulate an answer. Jiang Yanli had gently deposited Jin Ling into his arms and put his hand behind the tiny one's head, his other arm supporting his body. He smelt brand new and like the perfect blend of his parents.

Jin Ling fussed at first but quickly calmed down when Jiang Yanli soothed between his brows with a soft coo.

“A-Xian, see? You’re a master,” she smiled up at him.

Wei Wuxian was shell shocked, looking down at the child. He didn’t know what to do with himself and the child looked back at him without any answers.

“He looks more like you than his father,” he said.

Jiang Yanli laughed into her sleeve, “I think he looks more like this baba.”

“They do have the same scowl,” he laughed and looked back at Lan Wangji who was looking right at him.

“Will you please introduce him to the second crown prince, Consort Wei Wuxian?” Jiang Yanli asked softly.

He whipped his head back around to look at her with a frown, “I hate that title coming from you.”

She smiled, “It is your title.”

“It will never sound right,” he sighed. “I think the peacock is going to fall into the pond if I take Jin Ling any closer to Lan Zhan.”

Jin Zixuan was quietly standing beside Jiang Yanli, oblivious to the conversation happening. He was still focused ahead on Lan Wangji, but not in a rude manner, more so that he really did look like he was going to pass out if this alpha came closer.

“Nonsense,” Jiang Yanli turned to look at her husband, grabbing his hand with a squeeze, “it would be more than an honor to have his majesties esteemed consort introduce our child to him, right?”

This seemed to drag Jin Zixuan back to reality, he looked toward Wei Wuxian who was still tentatively holding Jin Ling in his arms.

“Right,” he finally answered.

Jiang Yanli looked back at Wei Wuxian, “Will you please?”

Wei Wuxian nodded to her and stepped away with their child in tow, approaching Lan Wangji.

“Your highness,” he bowed with Jin Ling, “if I may introduce to you a new subject and second heir to the Jin Clan of Lanling, Jin Ling.”

He stood back up and smiled down at Jin Ling who was looking up at Lan Wangji with wonder.

Lan Wangji nodded at the child and offered a small smile, “Jin Ling is a good name for him.”

“Mm, I gave him his courtesy name Jin Rulan,” he beamed at the memory of writing the suggestion to Jiang Yanli a few months after his birth.

“Also an excellent name,” Lan Wangji complimented.

Jin Ling started to wiggle then, reaching out and grabbing onto two long strands of Wei Wuxian’s hair. Wei Wuxian only lifted him higher to avoid the pull and Jin Ling rested his head against his chest.

He walked back over to Jiang Yanli immediately with a little panic. She shook her head, “No, he’s been up all day without a nap. If I take him from you he is going to wake up and fuss all day, please hold him longer, A-Xian.”

Wei Wuxian blinked but nodded his head.

Jin Zixuan finally looked like he could breathe after that encounter was over, “Thank you for introducing our son, Consort Wei Wuxian.”

“Yeah, yeah,” if his hands were free he’d have waved one, instead one was propping Jin Ling up and the other was unconsciously rubbing circles on the sleeping child's back.

“Were you all just going to stand around at the entrance or are you going to actually guide the second crown prince into the Jiang residence?” Jiang Cheng had snuck out from the crowd and was currently looking at them all with a similar scowl Jin Ling had.

“On second thought, maybe he looks more like Jiang Cheng,” Wei Wuxian whispered to Jiang Yanli who put her sleeve up to cover her laugh.

The entire entourage had finally made it past the gate to the Jiang residence where the entire place was done up with lotus decor everywhere.

The training grounds were set up in the same manner they usually looked when the Jiang Clan hosted banquets. Tables were scattered through the grounds with flowers of many variations at each table. A few servants were still setting up the tables, ones that Wei Wuxian knew well. He smiled at them and they returned his smile with a bow to him and to the second crown prince beside him.

Jiang Cheng led them all to the main hall where Wei Wuxian had dinner with the Jiang family growing up. The imperial guards stayed outside and remained at the door. He kept hold of Jin Ling, subconsciously rocking the baby in his arms with the sway of his hips when they came to a stand still.

Jiang Cheng turned to address them all formally, “Your highness,” he bowed deeply, “I apologize but it seems Clan Leader Jiang Fengmian is running behind schedule to greet us all. I would be happy to guide you to the meeting hall where we will hold our conversations regarding imperial assistance.”

Wei Wuxian whistled softly, impressed by Jiang Cheng’s ability to speak so formally.

Jiang Cheng shot him a look but held his tongue.

“Sect heir Jiang Wanyin,” Lan Wangji nodded, “it is no issue. Please lead the way.”

“Sect heir Jin Zixuan, you have been requested to join as well with our family ties now sealed,” Jiang Cheng said.

Jin Zixuan followed the other two along with the imperial advisor, leaving Jiang Yanli and Wei Wuxian alone in the hall with a sleeping Jin Ling.

She quickly turned and looked at him and whispered, “When were you going to tell me?”

Wei Wuxian physically stepped back, a little startled but whispered back, “Tell you?”

“Oh please, A-Xian I could smell it before you even hugged me,” she smiled sweetly, reaching up to cup his cheek.

She was keen and sharp witted. If it weren’t for her sweet demeanor she would be the most threatening thing to walk into any room.

He huffed, “How do you do that?”

“A-Xian, are you…?” She whispered.

He couldn’t bring himself to tell her aloud, only nodding his head. Her smile grew tenfold and this time she hugged him all the while being careful with not waking her child in his arms. He laughed quietly and leaned into the hug without squashing Jin Ling this time

She pulled away and kept whispering, “What was the second crown prince's reaction?”

He pressed his lips together and took in a breath, “Well.”

“You haven’t told him?” She frowned.

He shook his head.

“A-Xian…”

“I have my reasoning and I swear it’s sound. It’s just not the right time, I didn’t want any distractions for him when we’re technically here on business and…” He trailed off.

Jiang Yanli looked concerned and finished for him, “You’re scared.”

“Maybe a little,” he looked at her, “I don’t know if I can keep it. I have been forced to read so many conception books at this point I could recite them almost as well as the Lan Clan family percepts and I just worry I’ve damaged my body enough to not make it through a full term.”

Jiang Yanli nodded understandingly, “You have fought so valiantly these past few years, but you will be amazed at how well our bodies adapt to these things.”

He swallowed and did not warrant a response, instead opting to continue rocking Jin Ling.

“Ah, A-Xian… Well, when you do come to tell him and make it to your third trimester, please let me come and visit the palace so I can take care of you,” she smiled softly and put a hand on his arm.

Wei Wuxian returned her smile, “That would be nice.”

She gently soothed her other hand across Jin Ling’s back, “I knew the second crown prince favored you. You only ever talked about him in our youth, and if someone can capture my Xianxian’s attention then there’s no way they can escape him.”

Wei Wuxian laughed, then realized they were trying desperately not to wake the child and quieted down, “You make me sound like a Huli Jing.”

She only teasingly shrugged and turned her head to look at the door the rest of the party left through, “Well, shall we go and begin making the tea?”

Wei Wuxian nodded. The servants in the Jiang residence were treated more as family, much like himself who was but a glorified ward. They did not do menial tasks such as making tea, that was a task for anyone who wanted tea.

As it turns out it was mostly Jiang Yanli who prepared the tea while Wei Wuxian helplessly watched with arms entirely full of a still sleeping Jin Ling.

“Are you sure he isn't cursed?” He joked, but in reality he was a little worried. The child slept through many loud noises and his accidental shouting without so much as stirring.

Jiang Yanli giggled while pouring a cup for him, “Absolutely. I think he just really likes being held by Xianxian.”

Wei Wuxian shook his head, “He is the first baby I’ve met.”

She looked over at him, “And you are doing an excellent job.”

“For now,” he pouted, “what if he’s just really tired from traveling and when he wakes he decides to hate me?”

“Then I guess we'll just have to throw you out of Lotus Pier,” she slid a cup over to him.

“Ha ha,” he mocked a tad and sat down carefully at the table inside the kitchen.

“It is normal to be nervous, A-Xian. I was a wreck of nerves my entire pregnancy.”

“Really? I have never seen you nervous about anything. You’ve even yelled at a bunch of feral alpha’s on my account,” he frowned.

She frowned a little and nodded, “I just do what is right. It doesn’t mean I’m not nervous about it.”

He started to rub circles on Jin Ling’s back again, looking down at the tea that circled in the same direction, “It just feels different.”

Jin Ling made a soft hiccuping noise and Wei Wuxian looked to the child whose cheek was still firmly pressed against him, a little bit of drool sticking to his robes. He lifted his hand and ran it down the back of Jin Ling’s head, feeling his soft tuft of hair.

Jiang Yanli smiled fondly at the scene, putting her hands into her lap, “It is different, I suppose. Your child is going to be part of the court and the first born in succession. There will be a lot of responsibility on them. But all you need to do is focus on being a good mother.”

Wei Wuxian puffed his cheeks, “I wish it were that simple.”

“It can be,” she picked up her tea, “the Lan Clan is well known for raising children that aren’t theirs. I imagine they’ll raise their own heirs better.”

A soft knock came from the kitchen threshold. Wei Wuxian glanced up to find Wen Ning bowing, “Young master, young Jiang Yanli.”

“Wen Ning,” he called to him, “come, come, you can finally see Jin Ling more personally.”

Jiang Yanli smiled at the servant, “Hello, Wen Ning. It’s good to see you again, I wanted to thank you for taking such good care of A-Xian.”

Wen Ning walked in, “Young master is kind and makes life more fun at the palace. There is no need to thank me.”

“Ah, so he causes trouble for you,” she raised a brow at Wei Wuxian.

“Like he said, it’s fun,” Wei Wuxian smirked.

Wen Ning made his way across the kitchen and stood beside Wei Wuxian who leaned his head back so the servant could see the sleeping child's face.

“Ah, young Jiang Yanli, he is a very beautiful baby,” Wen Ning beamed.

“That’s what I said!” Wei Wuxian whispered loudly.

“Thank you both,” she giggled, “he will make both clans proud. After all, he has the best uncles around.”

“And the most powerful,” Wei Wuxian said with realization.

“And perhaps one who will be married to the second crown prince,” Jiang Yanli continued to tease.

Wei Wuxian frowned, “You and Wen Ning both have the wildest imaginations.”

“That’s rich coming from you,” Jiang Cheng interrupted them all from the same entrance Wen Ning had appeared.

“A-Cheng,” Jiang Yanli got up to hug him now that he wasn’t presenting to the crown.

He hugged her back with as much passion. He was now the only child of the Jiang family in the residence, the next heir and the sole attention of his parents. Of course he missed her, and Wei Wuxian could see it even if his adoptive brother put up a front.

He looked over at Wei Wuxian, “Should I call in one of the thousand guards to come and watch us so I don’t ruin you?”

Wei Wuxian pretended to glance behind himself, then behind Jiang Cheng and whispered, “I won't tell if you don’t tell.”

That earned an amused expulsion of air from
his nose.

“How come you’re not in the meeting?” Wei Wuxian asked.

“Eh, it’s just about food shortages further out and livestock,” Jiang Cheng shrugged while dropping the hug around Jiang Yanli, “I was in it for a bit but excused myself. Besides, it’s almost the end of the day and there will be bigger ones held throughout the week.”

Jiang Yanli smiled at her brother, “Such a hard working future clan leader.”

He frowned at her teasing, “And your husband looks like he wants to vomit being near the second crown prince.”

She nodded, “I have had to convince him several times that everything is fine but he still has a hard time accepting that.”

“Lan Zhan does have a powerful presence about him,” Wei Wuxian commented.

Jiang Cheng made a disgusted face, “I don’t want to hear about his powerful ‘presence.’”

Wei Wuxian rolled his eyes, “I wasn’t going to tell you about that, but since you brought it up…”

“No, no, no!” Jiang Cheng looked like he was about to cover his ears, “Do not speak to me about your sex life or I will be sick.”

Wei Wuxian laughed and started to softly bounce Jin Ling in his arms to spare Jiang Cheng anymore teasing.

The siblings continued to discuss the future plans they had for the week, including the casual banquet the Jiang clan was hosting for the second crown prince out in the drill grounds. Wei Wuxian kept his attention on the baby, getting the nerve to adjust him and hold him so he rested in the crook of his arm and his little face looked up at him.

“You’re doing very well, young master,” Wen Ning whispered so the other two couldn’t hear him, “it is good practice.”

Wei Wuxian prickled, “I suppose.”

“Did you happen to tell…?” Wen Ning whispered.

Wei Wuxian kept his eyes down on Jin Ling, “Jiejie read me like a scroll.”

“Ah,” Wen Ning nodded and Wei Wuxian didn’t have to look to know he had a smile on his lips, “she will be a good help.”

Wei Wuxian scrunched his nose in response.

“A-Xian?” Jiang Yanli called.

“Mm?” He looked up to the two siblings who were staring right at him. He must of missed their calling him a few times.

She smiled and shook her head while Jiang Cheng looked like he wanted to scold him like he did in their youth but thought better of it.

“Do you want me to make my lotus pork rib soup?”

He nodded his head a little too enthusiastically, “Oh please, jiejie, the palace has me eating like a rabbit.”

She giggled, “Okay, but you’re going to have to hold Jin Ling longer.”

“Are you sure I shouldn’t wake him so he isn’t up all night anyway?”

As if the child had heard him, Jin Ling woke up. He looked up at Wei Wuxian with a squint but only balled his little fists and put them against Wei Wuxian’s cheeks. Wei Wuxian smiled and puffed his cheeks making the little one laugh for the first time. He was more than proud of it, too.

Jiang Yanli had started making them soup, insisting that the meeting was going to run over and the Jiang Clan needed to serve some form of sustenance for the visitors.

She ended up making more than just the soup, adding plenty of sides and meat based dishes. It had been revealed Madam Yu would not be back until the day of the banquet with the rest of the crowd attending, allowing Jiang Fengmian to handle the greetings tomorrow without her. Wei Wuxian wasn’t unhappy about that.

While Jiang Yanli set up in the main hall for a more intimate evening meal, Wei Wuxian brought Jin Ling into the center of the room and entertained the little one so his mother could work. He sat down on his butt and faced the baby who was mimicking his position. He mostly tickled the child's sides which would elicit bubbly and contagious laughter.

Wen Ning had excused himself to finish setting up Wei Wuxian’s room, leaving Jiang Cheng and him talking to a baby while their jiejie made dinner.

“If you keep tickling him he’s going to poop,” Jiang Cheng grumbled.

“Then I can teach you how to change a diaper, jiujiu,” Wei Wuxian smirked.

Jiang Cheng almost turned green, “Why would I change his diaper?”

“Because you’re a kind hearted man.”

“Did you hit your head?” Jiang Cheng eyed him and knocked on his skull with his hand as if to demonstrate Wei Wuxian lost it.

Wei Wuxian rolled his eyes and took Jin Ling into his lap, turning to face Jiang Cheng. He stood the baby up on his feet with his support and grabbed his little fists to make it look like he was about to fight Jiang Cheng, “You hear what he said, Jin Ling?”

Jiang Cheng actually laughed, “Okay, he’ll kick my ass for sure. Set him down.”

Wei Wuxian let the baby’s butt fall into his lap. Jin Ling reached up at his face and let him play with his cheeks again.

“For some reason he does like you,” Jiang Cheng said.

“Is it so hard to believe a child could like me?”

“It’s hard to believe anyone could like you.”

“You know who likes me a lot?” He smirked again, looking up at Jiang Cheng.

“No, no, no. I don’t want to hear it, no—“

“The second crown prince. He likes me a little too much, mostly in bed. Sometimes we—“

“Wei Wuxian—!”

“—express just how much we like each other with our mou—“

Jiang Cheng threw a chopstick at his head. Wei Wuxian was stuck with Jin Ling in his lap but picked it up and threw it right back after it clattered to the floor beside him. Jin Ling all the while was giggling like watching his two uncles fight was the funniest thing he’d seen in his entire six months of life.

Someone cleared their throat from behind Wei Wuxian’s back. He tilted his head all the way up to find Lan Wangji looking down at him with a raised brow.

“Would you believe me if I said Jin Ling threw that chopstick?” He asked innocently.

Jin Ling also looked up at the prince and immediately stopped laughing, like he could tell Lan Wangji was going to discipline him even at this age.

Wei Wuxian pulled Jin Ling close to his chest and crossed his ankles, he got up in a spin that entertained the baby once more with laughter.

Lan Wangji still looked unamused, though his eyes were undeniably soft.

“Wei Ying, you know you should not be unsupervised in a room with an alpha not of your own blood,” Lan Wangji looked at Jiang Cheng.

“Oh come on,” he heard Jiang Cheng cross his arms, “we were raised in the same household for eighteen years.”

“It is the law for royal consorts,” Lan Wangji answered the complaint.

Wei Wuxian lowered his head, “I apologize, your highness. I got distracted.”

“Your highness,” Jiang Yanli called while walking a little closer. She scooped Jin Ying from Wei Wuxian’s hands and smiled up at the prince, “it is my fault, I asked Consort Wei Wuxian to watch my child while I prepared tonight's dinner. I apologize as well.”

Wei Wuxian looked at her and an emotion struck his gut that he had never quite felt looking at his jiejie. It felt disgusting and akin to envy.

Jiang Yanli, much like all the other concubines at the palace, was raised to be a royal consort in case fate had it that way. She had gotten engaged and the Sunshot Campaign set the harem selection for the second crown prince completely back. Wei Wuxian was the last eligible option of kin or wards for the Jiang Clan no matter his unruly attitude and questionable bloodline.

Before the second crown prince's harem, Jiang Yanli was considered too young for the first harem, so they instead sent another Jiang clan member of equal status and also not of blood to represent them. A girl Wei Wuxian vaguely remembers rebelliously peeking over the wall during sect disciple drills, one that was older than Jiang Yanli but still friendly to all of them.

Jiang Yanli was supposed to be in Lan Wangji’s harem, she was supposed to be his. She was raised for this life and he wasn’t, he was raised without any regard of what his second gender would present and left locked in rooms when he acted out. And yet she still got to marry for love.

He adored her to the horizon and back but this emotion was rotting his insides.

“Well, I’m not apologizing,” Jiang Cheng spoke up from behind, probably still sulking.

Wei Wuxian’s arms felt too light without Jin Ling, “May I be excused?”

Both Lan Wangji and Jiang Yanli’s expressions turned into concern, ignoring Jiang Cheng’s rude comment.

“Are you not feeling well?” Lan Wangji got his words out first.

Wei Wuxian nodded his head. not trusting himself to speak.

Jiang Yanli boosted Jin Ling onto her hip, “You should still try to eat something, A-Xian. It was a long trip.”

He knew she meant more so because of his health but at least she had worded it carefully in front of Lan Wangji.

He looked at her again, “Please send it to my room like it has been done in the past during my lock ups.”

Jiang Yanli’s eyes widened and he felt the second crown prince’s scent spike. He realized then what he had said and how the words tasted bitter on his tongue. He lowered his head again.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that,” he quickly backpedaled, “I’m just tired. Please excuse me.”

He walked away from the situation without approval, only adding to his list of un-consort-like behavior, toward the direction he saw Wen Ning go. He had no idea where the Jiang Clan had set him up tonight but he assumed his old room was now used for storage considering Madam Yu’s distaste for him.

The hallways were colder than they normally felt or maybe it was just his sour mood. He had never let himself express the hidden anger he held toward the Jiang clan’s treatments before, especially not in front of their children. He had always presented a smile and appreciated that no matter how they treated him, he was off the streets. Jiang Cheng and Jiang Yanli were exceptions, they were put through just as much calamity as he was and that's exactly why he felt awful about showing even a little bit of bitterness.

He turned a corner with his head still down and ran smack into Jin Zixuan who quickly caught him before he fell over.

“Consort Wei Wuxian, are you okay?” The man asked, more than surprised to find the always alert omega so carelessly walking.

Wei Wuxian pulled away from his hold as if it burned, “Yeah, I’m sorry. I wasn’t watching where I was going.”

Jin Zixuan looked him over, seeming as though he wanted to say something. Wei Wuxian walked past him.

“Wei Wuxian,” he called out.

The omega looked back at him, a little too pleased to hear the title drop from a living ghost of his past, “Hm?”

“I’m sorry about our past arguments. I was too hot headed and unable to express myself properly,” He said.

Wei Wuxian smirked, “Ah, marriage and a kid really did make you soft.”

Jin Zixuan's smile was gentle, “I admit it has. And it has shown me how cocky I was in my youth. You called me out for it several times and hated me. But you still treat Jin Ling like family.”

“He is,” Wei Wuxian said, “even if he’s part of the peacock clan, I would never not recognize him as family.”

Jin Zixuan seemed happy with that answer. He turned around and headed back down the direction Wei Wuxian had come from, probably rejoining his family for dinner.

It was fairly shocking to hear Jin Zixuan’s apology. Jiang Yanli had to apologize for them both in the past and make countless excuses about their behavior. He had only tolerated the peacock for that reason alone, if Jiang Yanli could find good in him then he must accept him.

Wei Wuxian continued to look for Wen Ning, not bothering to stop and ask the Jiang staff where his stay would be. He avoided his old room and came to terms with the fact that he honestly did not want to know what they chose to do with it. Instead, he walked out of the main building and toward where they often housed guests in the past.

Sure enough he had passed a few quarters with palace colored servants preparing for the second crown prince and entourage, finding Wen Ning at the very end.

He shuffled into the unfamiliar room and sat onto the bed without a word to Wen Ning who jumped at the noise of intrusion and whipped his head around.

“Young master, are you okay?” Wen Ning asked after catching his wits.

Wei Wuxian nodded and fell onto his side, pulling a pillow underneath his head and closing his eyes.

He really was tired, maybe more emotionally than anything. He was faced with meeting Jin Ling for the first time, seeing how Lotus Pier fared without him, pretending to not be carrying the potential first heir of the throne and traveling from his new home for two days straight. And now it came down to pretending to be a good consort for the prince, which he was miserably failing at.

He rolled over onto his other side so he was facing the wall.

“Do you… do you want to talk about it?” Wen Ning asked.

Wei Wuxian shook his head.

By all rights Wen Ning was probably confused having left the omega in good spirits only an incense ago.

Instead of pestering, Wen Ning came and put a blanket on top of him and continued unpacking his bags, leaving Wei Wuxian to his own turmoil.

When the servant had finished, he walked out and slid the door shut with a soft thud. Wei Wuxian gripped the blanket and pulled it over his head. It wasn’t fair to everyone that he was being so emotional when he could always take an insult and turn it into a joke, and yet here he was sulking under the covers.

The envy in his stomach was slowly turning into misery. He felt tears welling up and slipping down his cheeks and for the first time since his heat, Wei Wuxian managed to fall asleep without Lan Wangji by his side.

-

Hours had ticked by with no indication of how long he was asleep, but he eventually woke to feeling the bed sink down by his back and an arm tentatively wrapping around his waist. He didn’t need to look to know who it was, the smell of sandalwood enveloped around him.

“Lan Zhan,” he turned to look at him still, just to see those cool eyes.

“Wei Ying, I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“Mm, it’s fine,” he scooted his back further into Lan Wangji’s chest and rested his head back down.

“Do you feel any better?” Lan Wangji asked.

“No,” Wei Wuxian answered honestly.

Lan Wangji put his chin to rest on top of the curled up omega’s head, “Will you tell me what's on your mind?”

“You,” he answered again.

“Have I done something wrong?” The prince sounded concerned but kept him close.

“Not at all. I wish you had, maybe it would be easier for me,” he laughed quietly.

“Explain.”

“I wasn’t born for this,” he started, “the rest of your concubines have had a lifetime of training and that includes my jiejie. She was supposed to be yours, not me. As much as I— I just want to— I’m not good at this,” he finally settled on.

Lan Wangji stayed quiet.

“I’m awful at being your consort, Lan Zhan.”

“I do not need you to pretend to be something you’re not,” he said.

“Yes you do,” Wei Wuxian frowned, “your family is relying on me to be behaved and obedient and submissive. I have never been any of those things. And even when I did get assigned as an omega, it only made me worse. People thought I would be better but… I mean you’ve seen me in my heat. I’m awful.”

“You have never been allowed to explore that part of yourself properly, it makes sense that you have pent up emotions about it,” Lan Wangji whispered.

Wei Wuxian turned in the embrace and looked at him under the dimly lit lantern lighting, “It isn’t just that, Lan Zhan. I am too excitable, too loud, silly, I can only play the flute and even that I managed to turn devious.”

Lan Wangji cupped his cheek in his palm, “Is virtuous flute playing a requirement to be a proper consort?”

“No,” Wei Wuxian frowned, “but the rest of your harem can play at least six more instruments than I can.”

“I’m not interested in the rest of the harem, Wei Ying.”

“And they wouldn’t break the rules or run off of boats before properly docked,” Wei Wuxian sighed.

“You are comparing yourself for no reason,” Lan Wangji passed his thumb across his cheek.

Wei Wuxian reached up and took his wrist into his own grip, “I want to do better. I don’t want you to make excuses for me. I will do better.”

Lan Wangji leaned his head down so their foreheads touched, “You are already enough.”

He kept their eye contact and released his hold on the prince’s wrist. He hiked a leg over the princes’ and straddled himself against his waist, pushing the prince onto his back.

“Wei Ying,” Lan Wangji said his name carefully, confused at the change of mood.

Wei Wuxian trailed his claws down his chest, above his inner robes. Even he couldn’t blame Lan Wangji’s confusion. He was giving himself whiplash with his own mood swings.

Lan Wangji put his hands onto Wei Wuxian’s hips, “Wei Ying, you’ve been upset.”

“Don’t worry, you don’t need to be inside of me,” Wei Wuxian whispered, “as much as I would love that, I just want to touch you.”

Then an idea occurred.

“Let me bathe you,” Wei Wuxian purred.

Lan Wangji blinked, “Bathe?”

“Why not?” He smiled, “I want to touch you and you don’t want to breed me tonight. It’s a win win.”

“Not—“ Lan Wangji’s ears turned pink, “that is not true.”

“Oh?” Wei Wuxian’s smile turned into a sly smirk, “What isn’t true exactly?”

“You have been unwell,” Lan Wangji frowned, the blush reaching his cheeks.

“That never stopped us before,” Wei Wuxian leaned down to hover over his face.

Lan Wangji looked as though he was contemplating something. Then he got up and scooped up Wei Wuxian with him who let out a surprised yelp.

“Then we will take a bath together,” Lan Wangji brought him over to the empty wooden tub across the guest room.

Wei Wuxian grinned, “Even better. But we need water.”

Lan Wangji set him on the side of the tub, “Stay.”

Wei Wuxian nodded and even gripped the sides of the tub as demonstration of his obedience. Lan Wangji walked away, presumably to get a servant to fetch water for their charade.

Wei Wuxian made quick work to disrobe himself and quickly tossed the discarded clothing around the room. He made a grab for a bathrobe when the stretch of his arm woke a tender pain in his breast. He retracted his arm back in shock and put his hands against his chest, staring down at himself.

He was never insecure about his body, or rather never needed to be. It healed fast, was excellent in swordplay, excelled in cultivation and even handled alcohol well. His body was never something he worried about.

But looking down now he realised he had gotten a little bloated and his breasts, though still basically flat, were extremely tender to the touch with minimal swelling. Lan Wangji wasn’t handsy there for the most part, not yet anyway. His body was getting soft already, and he swore his hips were already widening.

It was all subtle, but enough for him to notice.

He heard the sound of footsteps and quickly wrapped the robe around himself, suddenly feeling extremely bashful about being nude and bathing in direct lantern light with Lan Wangji.

Lan Wangji walked back without a servant in tow but held two heavy buckets of water in both hands without any sign of struggle. Wei Wuxian bit his inner cheek, crossing his legs and shooing away the image of also being held so effortlessly by his alpha.

It didn’t help. He felt his own slick embarrassingly spread between his legs. This child was making a fool of him playing with his emotions and making him heat up so easily.

Lan Wangji’s eyes slid to look at Wei Wuxian who was awkwardly clutching his new bathrobe closed and crossing his legs aside the tub.

He looked amused while pouring in the first bucket.

Wei Wuxian pouted, “Don’t give me that look. You came in here casually carrying water buckets like they weigh nothing and I’m supposed to act like that isn’t attractive?”

Lan Wangji’s smile remained while he set the empty bucket aside and pulled up the next with just as much ease as the last, filling the tub. Wei Wuxian still clutched his robe.

Lan Wangji approached him and gently pried his claws apart, opening the front of his robes for him to see. Wei Wuxian averted his gaze, a nervous flutter going through his chest and stomach.

“Wei Ying, why are you looking away from me?” Lan Wangji asked, sliding Wei Wuxian’s bathrobe off entirely so it pooled at the omega’s ankles.

“I—“ Wei Wuxian frowned and met his golden eyes, “Embarrassed.”

“Mm?” Lan Wangji pulled him closer to the tub and pulled loose a single red ribbon that kept Wei Wuxian’s hair in place, letting the dark strands fall against his shoulders.

He chewed his bottom lip, “I think more than my scent is changing and I feel… softer.”

Lan Wangji brought Wei Wuxian’s thigh upward and led his foot into the water, guiding the omega to sit down in the tub, “Your body is beautiful.”

Wei Wuxian laughed, he sat down in the tub and raised his knees up toward his breast, “I don’t feel like it.”

Lan Wangji grabbed the bar of soap left by the tub. He brought Wei Wuxian’s arm outward and began to bathe the omega.

Wei Wuxian frowned, though secretly thrilled, “This was not the plan.”

“Mmh?”

“You are getting in here.”

“Am I?” Lan Wangji moved to get behind Wei Wuxian, gently pushing his body forward so he had access to lathering the soap against his back, massaging up toward the exposed parts of his shoulders underneath the collar.

Wei Wuxian took in a deep breath and rolled his neck to the side, “Won't you?”

Lan Wangji leaned forward and placed a chaste kiss against the side of Wei Wuxian’s tilted jawline, still positioned behind him, “It isn’t big enough.”

“Ah, Hanguang-Jun is so humble,” Wei Wuxian teased.

A hum against his neck was all he got as a response while the alpha’s lips traveled across Wei Wuxian’s neck. The feeling sent shivers up his spine. He tilted his neck even more, presenting submission.

Lan Wangji’s hands came from around his back to his exposed chest, rubbing circles of soap across him. Wei Wuxian kept the hiss of discomfort to himself, Lan Wangji’s hands were gentle but he was terribly tender.

He heard the alpha push up to be on his knees so his hands could dive deeper into the water, brushing down his stomach and waist. Wei Wuxian tensed his abdomen, the insecurities hitting like bricks again.

“Wei Ying,” Lan Wangji whispered.

“Hm?” Wei Wuxian wrinkled his nose.

“Relax,” he kissed the side of his head.

Wei Wuxian let out a breath he didn’t realize he had been holding, “Okay.”

Lan Wangji’s hands remained at his stomach which was still highly tense. Lan Wangji bit the nape of his neck, making the omega yelp.

“Must you bite me like a dog, Lan Zhan?” Wei Wuxian cried out.

The alpha kissed the same spot he bit, “Relax.”

Wei Wuxian actually tried this time. He leaned back against the tub and allowed full access to the alpha, closing his eyes. Once his abdomen finally relaxed, Lan Wangji’s hands continued their journey through the water.

They rubbed across his widened hips, midsection, his thighs, toward his uplifted knees and down to his calves. Lan Wangji had positioned himself appropriately with each exploration, ending up back on the side of the tub.

Wei Wuxian opened his eyes once his hands paused, looking at the second crown prince, “Lan Zhan?”

Lan Wangji took his hands from the water and put his wet palms across Wei Wuxian’s cheek. Wei Wuxian got the idea, he scooted forward in the tub and dipped his head back to soak his hair. Lan Wangji pulled him back up and ran a hand down the front of his throat, down his collar.

Wei Wuxian watched his eyes shift into desire once the hand rested at the end of his collar.

He reached both his own hands upward to grab onto his wrist, “Lan Zhan.”

Golden eyes flicked from his collar to his eyes.

“Are you going to wash my hair?”

He wanted to get the alpha’s eyes off of his collar, a small sense of primal panic swirling inside. As far as he knew, Lan Wangji had never looked at his collar so intently before and it sent a shiver up his spine even while submerged in the hot water. He had begged in hazy memory during his heat, a feverish desire to be bonded to him before. It was an emotion he had never experienced and a devotion he wasn’t sure he could fulfill with what came of being bonded to royalty. He accepted the fact that he needed Lan Wangji, but he wasn’t sure if Lan Wangji needed him.

Lan Wangji’s clouded eyes cleared as he came back to reality.

Wei Wuxian reached out of the tub to grab at the tresses of Lan Wangji’s hair, pulling him forward to steal a kiss, “Please?”

“Please?” Lan Wangji sounded lost when Wei Wuxian pulled away.

“Wash my hair,” Wei Wuxian whispered against recently parted lips, “please.”

Lan Wangji nodded and made a grab for the soap.

Wei Wuxian pulled his knees up further to his chest and leaned forward, allowing Lan Wangji better access to his hair. He felt Lan Wangji’s fingers run down the length of his hair which pooled around his body in inky tendrils against the water. His hands were gentle as they made their way up to his scalp.

Wei Wuxian closed his eyes and allowed the alpha to massage his fingers against his head, making sure none of the soap dripped to his face. He took in a deep breath, the motion of his fingers relaxing him with the warm bathwater practically depleting him of all his energy. He felt himself lean off to the side, Lan Wangji propping him upright.

“Wei Ying, are you falling asleep?” Lan Wangji’s distant voice asked.

Wei Wuxian could smell his sandalwood scent embrace him, the soap smell becoming less bearing. He barely managed to nod his head, “Mmh.”

He heard the amused muffle of a laugh and felt water spill gently down his head. The rest of his bath remained a mystery as sleep claimed him once more in the warm embrace of bathwater and sandalwood.

Chapter Text

Wei Wuxian finds himself tangled in blankets with the strong scent of sandalwood beginning to fade. The sun is already high in the sky and the sounds of people rushing past his room through the outdoor halls echoed outside his door.

It was a hazy struggle of shaking his brain back into functioning. He woke with the Jiang clan colors around him and was nearly thrown back into his teenage years, expecting Jiang Cheng to waltz in and scold him for his late sleeping.

But no scolding or fast action came into the room, only the sound of frantic servants preparing for the day leaked past the privacy of his room. He rolled over onto his side to find a freshly picked peony beside his pillow. With a smile he picked it up between his fingers and rolled the stem around, observing as the flower’s petals danced with the motion.

He didn’t feel as sore but the faint ache still rested in his chest when he lifted himself up off the mattress, looking across the morning lit room. The tub had been tended to and the room was cleaned of his scattered robes. There was a morning breakfast tray sitting on the table and something about it made him feel melancholy.

The Jiang family had not woken him to join them for a morning meal as they had in the years growing up. There was the possibility that even Jiang Yanli received her meal within their quarters as well, though he secretly hoped every meal would be shared the same way it had in the past.

Today Yu Ziyuan would be making her return to Lotus Pier along with her conscientious handmaidens who equally shot Wei Wuxian down with skilled eyes that they had to have picked up from their mistress. He had to somehow manage to avoid Madam Yu for the day, and the rest of the week. Or at least not get too close. Or excited. Or move in obvious manners.

Madam Yu was no fool, she would easily pick up on his changed scent. She wasn’t his biggest fan, but she still had a helping hand in raising him with the power to send him on his way to Yiling, then agree to gift him to the Lan Clan. She knew his scent from before he was even assigned his second gender. She was no mother to him, but a warden who scrutinized his every move and allowed him every meal.

He knew it was going to be a challenge to get around her and there was no way to convince her not to spill his secret. She would sooner offer to severe his arm than help him keep such immense news.

He stretched his arms out and decided to focus back on the rowdy servants outside the door, wondering where Wen Ning was. It was one thing to expect his adoptive family's past antics but another to have Wen Ning, part of his current life, not meekily walking in and fussing with his hair or robes.

Wei Wuxian was perfectly capable of putting himself together… for the most part. But having Wen Ning help with his hair was more helpful than he cared to admit. After waiting a moment longer he finally decided just to get out of bed by himself and start getting ready. He prepared himself for any waves of nausea that never came, A quiet blessing, he took it as a victory.

The chests and bags of his items were neatly stacked in the corner of the room but he knew Wen Ning took the time last night to fully unpack his things and put them into the various drawers beside the vanity. He pulled out a few drawers to find robes he never paid much attention to. Many of them were Jiang Clan colored, which was not an issue other than the fact that he wasn’t actually of the Jiang Clan, just a ward disciple. He was their representation in the royal harem court because it was convenient. He chewed his bottom lip and shoved through more drawers in search of something more… him.

He finally settled on an ombre outer robe that went from a darker grey into a lighter. His inner robes remained a black with a deep crimson sash. He pulled his hair back with his trusty red ribbon and tied half of it up, leaving the rest to cascade down his back and for the first time since his and Lan Wangji’s little escapade, he felt like himself.

He examined himself in the mirror for a second and decided that was enough, lest he start nitpicking himself like Wen Ning. His eyes lingered on the rouge and eye makeup spread across the vanity, something he never did himself. It was intimidating but the maids made it look so easy. He still decided to pass on it, just in case he made himself look like a hanged ghost rather than a palace consort.

His eyes then slid down toward his cinnabar collar. He recalled Lan Wangji’s hungry eyes last night, how they lingered against it. Then he found himself cradling his stomach. Not that it was something easily forgotten for him, but his alpha had no idea he already created life inside of the omega. Their bond may not be soul entwined, but Wei Wuxian was already carrying his child. The very same child who was changing his entire body.

The outside world seemed to quiet down a bit more, meaning most of the servants have probably begun to get themselves ready rather than the training grounds. He headed for the door and slid it open, peeking his head left and right. The air was cooler than yesterdays and the courtyard in front of the guest rooms was empty aside from the garden and lotus fountain in the middle. He pursed his lips and decided just to head out on his own, slipping his boots on by the door.

There wasn’t any reason to look, but he felt eyes on him in a seemingly empty courtyard. He stopped and snapped his fingers, a shadow of slim red smoke swirled around his hand at his command. The shadow then shot out with another snap into the very same direction he felt the eyes on him.

It wasn’t a killing command but any yin energy was a bad omen to most skeptics. He heard the frantic fluttering of feathers and when he finally did glance behind himself he found inky black feathers against the concrete floor. His eyebrows knit together.

He had let his guard down during this trip, forgetting completely about the odd encounter he had in the imperial garden. The memory had been shoved to the back of his mind and drowned with the news of his pregnancy. He was being watched.

The yin shadow returned to his wrist, swirling around him with a keen interest of being used once more. He dismissed it, making the shadow dissipate. A gnawing feeling in his chest scolded him for even minimally using the command, the child within being subjected. Even with his own belief in yin being controllable, the child was still a Lan and their beliefs ultimately trumped his. It would be held against him if any Lan knew he summoned even the slightest bit of dark energy while carrying their heir.

Wei Wuxian looked to where the raven had flown off to for no reason, it wasn’t as if he could tell where it had gone to meet its master. He groaned and lifted his hand to pinch the bridge of his nose.

Just another fucking thing to worry about.

Perhaps Jiang Cheng had been right at the banquet, he did attract trouble like flies.

It had to wait, though. He was already holding his tongue about the pregnancy and though he was more at risk being outside of the palace, he would hide the ravens until their return as well. He didn’t report the creatures in the garden and if he spoke up about it now, while at Lotus Pier, it could easily be suspected his former clan was spying on him. Wei Wuxian would not subject his adoptive family to the palace’s scrutiny, not until he got a protective Lan Wangji out of their gates.

Wei Wuxian turned to guide himself back to the welcoming banquet. He heard the clamor getting louder as he walked toward the training grounds.

Three new, younger sect disciples gathered at the entryway with boyish curiosity, looking at the setup of the training grounds and whispering amongst themselves while staying out of sight. Wei Wuxian didn’t need to get closer to know they were alphas, he recognized them as the younger generation below his own group of Jiang cultivators.

He knew he had gotten scolded for being alone with Jiang Cheng last night, but these boys were technically in the pathway to his destination. So, he kept moving forward and once he got close enough he stopped just behind them.

“What are we looking at?” He asked.

The three boys all jumped and turned to look at the palace consort.

“Consort Wei Wuxian,” they each individually bowed to him.

Wei Wuxian scrunched his nose, “No need for that. What are you spying on?”

He had been a young boy once and knew the look in their eyes well, trouble knew trouble.

They all rose back up. One of them finally spoke up, looking as if he was about to get struck with Zidian, “The new Wen Clan leader is here.”

Wei Wuxian blinked. Wen Qing came to Lotus Pier? No wonder Wen Ning hadn’t been in his room this morning.

“Is she?” Wei Wuxian smiled, feigning a look as if he already knew that.

“It’s their first public appearance since the Sunshot Campaign,” one of the other boys spoke, seeming a little less scared than the last.

“Mm,” Wei Wuxian nodded, “is she as scary as they say?”

They all turned a little sickly looking and nodded.

“Well, best not get in her way,” Wei Wuxian waved his hands, “maybe she’ll take an interest in adopting you out from the Jiang Clan. I’m sure Madam Yu would have no problem sending you her way if she catches you all lurking here.”

“Madam Yu is still more fearsome,” the third and final boy spoke.

Wei Wuxian laughed aloud, “Either way, you may find yourself in Wen robes if you don’t scurry out of here. Shoo, off with you all.”

The boys all deflated but followed the orders of the former Jiang disciple. Wei Wuxian put his hands on his hips and shook his head with a motherly-like stance.

“Practicing your scolding, Consort Wei Wuxian?” Wen Qing’s clever voice came from behind him as she bowed.

Wei Wuxian jumped and turned around, taking a step back from the alpha. Wen Ning was a few strides behind her.

“Practicing?” Wei Wuxian laughed wearily, “I’m already a master at it. No need to practice.”

Wen Qing stood up straight and eyed him in a way that if any of the palace guards saw they’d suspect her to be threatening him. Wei Wuxian suddenly felt extremely awkward under her bright eyes. She was much shorter than him but her presentable poise and intimidating aura leeched off of her. They spent many months together in Yiling, she tended to his wounds in secrecy as he protected the leftover Wen’s from extinction. She also scolded him for most of his injuries and even flicked his nose like a misbehaving pup.

“Wen Ning told you?” He frowned.

“No,” Wen Qing’s eyes went from his stomach to meet his eyes, “your scent travels far. Especially around those alpha boys.”

Wei Wuxian sighed, “Please tell me it’s only that obvious because you’re a renowned doctor with eyes of a hawk and the nose of a hound.”

“As a alpha, sure. But for the rest, I wish I could,” Wen Qing tilted her head, “but no. It only takes another omega to sniff out a pregnant one and flock them. Alpha’s and beta’s will be none the wiser if they don’t already know your scent.”

He crossed his arms into his sleeves, “Help me out?”

She glared, “My help is suggesting you tell the truth to your alpha than keep this silly secret.”

“I can’t,” Wei Wuxian looked to the side.

“Oh, now you’re shy?” She laughed, “You turned mountains before and now you cannot announce something like this? You’re not just threatening to put yourself in imperial prison but Wen Ning too.”

Wei Wuxian looked at his beta servant who was staring at the floor with a deep blush against his cheeks, “No one has to know that either of us are aware.”

“Wei Wuxian, you're still a prideful fool,” she clicked her tongue. “The best I can do for you is give you a handful of scent suppressants.”

He shook his head, “Lan Zhan would notice.”

“They won't deplete your scent but dull it,” Wen Qing said while reaching into her own sleeves. She pulled out a small vial with clear fluid, “He may be concerned but at least you won't be a targeted charity case by the hundreds of other omega’s here today.”

He eyed the clear vial, “It won't harm him?”

“The second crown prince will be fine,” she raised her eyebrows.

“No, I mean,” he bit his lip and lowered one hand down to rest on his stomach.

Wen Qing blinked, “Ah. No, it will not harm the fetus.”

Wei Wuxian shot her a look but still took the vial from her outstretched arm. He popped open the cork and sniffed the contents which gave nothing away. There was no scent to the liquid.

“It will last you at least eight hours. I will send more with Wen Ning to your room tonight after I finish giving him an earful of following your idiotic plan,” She crossed her own arms.

Wei Wuxian threw the liquid contents back into his throat. He felt absolutely no changes and tucked the vial into his sleeve for safe keeping. Wen Qing was harsh but she was keen and he trusted her with his life more times than once.

“Thanks,” he looked to her again, “I didn’t realize how potent our scents got.”

“From what I heard you’ve been forced to study more anatomy of the omega body than I have in my entire career,” Wen Qing raised her eyebrows, “silly of me to think you actually retained any of that information.”

Wei Wuxian blew a strand of loose hair out of his face, “Old habits die hard?”

It was comforting to have her scold him, she was never as soft as Jiang Yanli or harsh as Jiang Cheng, but a healthy mix between. He knew she cared for him despite the walls she built.

Wen Qing snorted, “Get yourself properly examined as soon as you decide to announce your news.”

He smiled with his teeth and nodded, “Why are you here, anyway?”

She looked toward the training grounds which were still hidden behind the fence from where he stood, “The Jiang Clan invited several clan’s today. They’re having a sword fighting competition and all clans are requested to submit a member of theirs to duel.”

“To death?” Wei Wuxian asked a little too excitedly.

She looked back at him with wide eyes, “Morbid. But no, just till someone calls the game.”

“Hm,” Wei Wuxian popped out a hip and tapped his lips with his finger, “I’ve participated in several of those games but have never been on the side watching. It sounds terribly boring to only watch…” He tilted his head to the side, “You think they’d let me in?”

“No,” Lan Wangji’s voice called from the gate's entrance.

Wei Wuxian bowed the moment their eyes met, his stomach swirling. He had just got done saying he would do better as his consort and yet here he was, caught by his alpha, with another alpha… unsupervised.

“Your highness, I was just on my way to find you,” He stood back up and returned to those gold eyes.

Wen Qing and Wen Ning had also bowed, being several feet away from them both.

Lan Wangji nodded to the Wen siblings and looked back at Wei Wuxian, “Did you not get my note?”

“Ah?” Wei Wuxian frowned, “Note? I… I found the peony…”

He searched his brain for any pieces of paper sticking out in the guest room that he may have looked over but was left empty handed. The room was spotless when he left it.

“Mh,” Lan Wangji stayed rooted, “never mind then.”

Wei Wuxian crossed his hands down in front of himself and nodded his head in Lan Wangji’s direction, “My apologies to your highness.”

Lan Wangji put a hand out, “Let me take you to your seat.”

Wei Wuxian nodded and walked to his side, inevitably getting closer to Wen Qing to pass her. When he did reach Lan Wangji the alpha grabbed his hand tightly, tight enough for Wei Wuxian to let out a noise of shock. Lan Wangji led him through the gate.

He hadn’t noticed Lan Wangji’s imperial advisor standing off to the side with an odd look on his already pinched face. Wei Wuxian eyed the man longer than necessary, scooting closer to Lan Wangji just to see if it irked the man more. He didn’t get a reaction.

“Wei Ying,” Lan Wangji said as they walked.

“I know, I’m sorry,” Wei Wuxian whispered as he turned his attention back to the alpha, “Clan Leader Wen Qing is an old friend. She took care of me during and after the Sunshot Campaign, I didn’t want to be rude.”

Lan Wangji’s eyes slid to him and stopped walking, “She touched you?”

“Well— yeah. When I was the great Yiling Patriarch,” he said with sarcasm, “she patched my wounds several times while I protected her family. That’s why I knew Wen Ning before all of this… I thought you were aware of this.”

Lan Wangji frowned, “I knew you protected them but I never realized an alpha was aiding you in medical help.”

“She's not just an alpha. She's a renowned doctor and never tried to claim me, it was strictly professional,” Wei Wuxian said.

“It is against the law.”

“It was either she tended to me or I bled out on the burial mounds. She was one of the only alpha’s who actually cared about me then,” Wei Wuxian felt himself getting defensive.

Lan Wangji’s brows came together, “Wei Ying.”

“What?” He kept his voice low but still colored it in anger, “Where were you, then? You didn’t even wait for me after I guided myself on a suicide mission to destroy the tally your family ordered I did, and now you’re becoming jealous of the one alpha who took care of me afterward. That’s not fair, Lan Zhan.”

Lan Wangji squeezed his hand, “I apologize.”

Wei Wuxain looked away, “Let’s just go to our seats.”

“Wei Ying,” Lan Wangji’s hand squeezed his again, keeping his demand subtle.

Wei Wuxian looked back at him with a temper, raising his eyebrows.

Lan Wangji only looked him over and held whatever it was he wanted to say to himself, beginning to guide them as promised.

Wei Wuxian looked over the training grounds rather than at the alpha as they walked forward. The grounds were decked out but not nearly as fanciful as the palace banquet had been. The Jiang Clan still kept it easy and it was exactly the way Wei Wuxian expected it to look. Tables were lined around the yard and in the center was an arena for the games they often hosted.

He could already tell which seats were theirs, the one highest and center to the arena had to have been Lan Wangji’s, making the one second highest to the princes’ his.

Then he saw Madam Yu and Jiang Fengmian, and was being led directly toward them by the second crown prince. He groaned inwardly and hoped whatever scent suppressant Wen Qing gave him worked fast.

Both their hosts bowed and Lan Wangji dropped Wei Wuxian’s hand.

“Your majesty, Consort Wei Wuxian,” Jiang Fengmian greeted them in a bow. Wei Wuxian never realized it before, but something about Jiang Fengmian’s smile reminded him of Lan Xichen’s. Calculated, precise, soft and easy. A good smile with a face one might feel as trustworthy.

Wei Wuxian tried to subdue his dejection at feeling Lan Wangji drop his hand. He nodded his head toward his past clan leads while Lan Wangji greeted them himself.

“Clan Leader Jiang Fengmian, it is good to see you again. Madam Yu, I am glad you were able to make it,” Lan Wangji stood proper and tall in front of them.

“Second crown prince, please, it is our honor to host you,” Madam Yu spoke with less disdain than Wei Wuxian thought possible, “we are pleased to see you are doing well. I trust the guest quarters are to your liking?”

“Mh,” Lan Wangji nodded, “they are fine.”

Jiang Fengmian looked to Wei Wuxian who was keeping to himself, taking a step back from the prince. Lan Wangji also glanced at the motion but said nothing of it.

“We got quite a bit out on the table last night during our meeting,” Jiang Fengmian's smile was still solidly in place and looked at Madam Yu, “the second crown prince is extremely knowledgeable of the nation's affairs. The palace has done a fine job.”

Madam Yu did not seem terribly impressed by the praise but still offered her best compliments, “I am sure the future meetings will go just as smoothly then.”

Wei Wuxain took another step back and spied Jiang Yanli a distance away, “Excuse me.”

Lan Wangji turned to fully look at him but the omega had already left his side and started to hurriedly walk away. In a way, it was the alpha’s fault. He dropped his hand first.

Wei Wuxian made sure not to shock her senseless this time, “Jiejie.”

Jiang Yanli turned around with a bundle of Jin Ling cradled in her arms. The young one immediately began to reach out toward Wei Wuxian, balled fists stretched far.

“A-Xian,” she smiled but it didn’t feel as genuine, she was forcing it.

Then he recalled last night and how he had thrown a tantrum before leaving, much like he is doing now to Lan Wangji.

“I’m sorry about what I said last night,” he bit his lip.

Jiang Yanli’s smile turned a little more real as she deposited the fussy baby into his arms, “If you are sorry then you will hold onto Jin Ling for a little bit to make it up to me.”

He took the baby without a second thought, positioning the babe against his hip, “I was hotheaded.”

“You don’t need to apologize, A-Xian. It just took me by surprise,” she reached up and dusted a crumb of food off of Jin Ling’s cheek, “I wanted to check on you but the prince went in my stead. I figured he would be better at it than I would.”

He laughed a little sadly, “Mm, except now I’m back to being mad at him.”

Jiang Yanli paused, “Did he hurt you?”

“No, no, no,” Wei Wuxian shook his head, “it’s just silly nonsense about rules and standards and such. He would never hurt me.”

She nodded, “Good. I didn’t want to get all momma-bear on him. I don’t care if he’s the second crown prince, I’ll put him in his place,” she teased him.

Jin Ling reached up and grabbed at Wei Wuxian’s cheeks while he unknowingly started swaying his hips, holding the young one upward. The baby started to make babbling noises that sounded like a whole lot of nothing.

Wei Wuxian gestured toward the arena, “Is your husband going to participate?”

“No,” she shook her head, “though I suggested he should. He’s been pent up lately.”

“Gross,” he scrunched his nose, “who is then?”

She laughed, “I don’t mean it like that, A-Xian. And it’s Jin Zixun who is representing the Jin’s.”

He gagged at the thought of even smelling that alpha, “Jin Zixun is here?”

She nodded and looked in the direction of the Jin’s tables, “Many of the Jin clan are here. A lot of clan leaders brought their disciples and family.”

“And here I thought it would just be a family reunion.”

“You know mother is not sentimental like that,” she looked back at him with a smile, “she could never handle all of us being in one room without scolding us.”

“I guess it would make for bad etiquette in front of the prince,” he mumbled.

“A-Xian,” her eyebrows furrowed, “are you feeling well?” Jiang Yanli looked as though she wanted to reach out and feel his forehead but thought better of the display in front of the crowd. Her hands dropped back down.

“I feel fine. Did I say something to make you think otherwise?” He switched Jin Ling into his other arm, the baby beginning to play with his hair.

“Your scent…”

“Oh,” he smiled shyly, “suppressed. Wen Qing helped me with it.”

“Wen Qing?” Her eyes widened, “I realize she is a wonderful doctor but A-Xian…”

“She didn’t examine me, jiejie. She just helped me out,” he assured.

She chewed her lip with a look of contemplation. After a stretched silence between them she must have trusted him enough to nod her head, “And it’s safe to take those medications in your state?”

“Mhm,” he looked at Jin Ling and blew a raspberry against the baby’s cheek.

Jin Ling let out a squeal of joy, his mother’s returned grin was beautiful in response.

“So what’s the prize this year?” Wei Wuxian asked.

“They haven’t said yet,” Jiang Yanli tucked her hands respectfully into her own sleeves.

Wei Wuxian looked around at the crowd. Most of them were alpha’s and beta’s. Any omega was claimed and collarless.

“Mmh, maybe the winner can get a kiss from me,”
he teased with a smirk.

“A-Xian, that would be a terrible thing to do—“ Jiang Yanli gasped, her eyes trailing behind him.

“Wei Ying,” Lan Wangji rumbled.

Crap. Well, can’t back down now.

Wei Wuxian swiveled around to look up at the prince, “What? I’m the only collared omega here. It would be a good prize. I mean, I would brag about kissing a palace consort if I were in their position. And it isn’t like I’m not already a prize to you.”

Lan Wangji’s face was still, “Nonsense.”

“It isn’t like it’s against the law to kiss palace property,” Wei Wuxian smiled with a hint of mischief twined in, proud to find a loophole in his argument.

Jin Ling’s little hands began to touch Wei Wuxian’s collar as if he understood what was being said.

Lan Wangji’s eyes flicked between the baby’s hands and Wei Wuxian’s eyes, “You will speak no further on this.”

Wei Wuxian’s face fell, “It would make for a good prize.”

“Stop,” Lan Wangji eyed him.

Jiang Yanli shifted behind him, purposefully making noise with her shoes to remind them she was still there.

Wei Wuxian kept his defiant gaze on the prince, “It was a joke, Lan Zhan.”

Jin Ling’s little hands kept toying with the collar locked around Wei Wuxian’s neck, the little one cooing as he drummed his fists against the bottom end of it.

“A-Xian…” Jiang Yanli whispered behind him.

He turned his back to the prince and swiftly handed Jin Ling back to his mother, “His highness wants to put me in my seat now. I probably won't be able to move. Please excuse us.”

Jiang Yanli took her child and gawked at her younger brother’s boldness. He held his chin high and walked past Lan Wangji, brushing his shoulder against the prince.

He could vaguely hear Jiang Yanli hurriedly mumbling her respects to Lan Wangji as he walked away, his heartbeat pounding in his ears. He didn’t know why he was insisting on being such a brat. What he suggested was definitely something he would do in the past, but he was pregnant now, essentially spoken for, and on top of all that the mere thought of kissing someone other than Lan Wangji made his morning sickness seem more desirable.

His mood was getting harder to control.

He made a beeline for his seat but Lan Wangji caught up right before he could sit, grabbing his wrist and pulling him into the equipment room right behind their seats.

“Wei Ying,” he pulled his omega close and sliding the door shut, “last time you acted this way you were upset about a suggestion map. What is it this time?”

Wei Wuxian looked up at him, “I was making a joke. It wasn’t serious.”

“You know better than to joke like that.”

“I didn’t think you would hear,” he tried pulling his wrist free.

“Do you want that?” Lan Wangji stepped in closer so all Wei Wuxian could see, breathe, smell was him.

“Want what? To kiss a sweaty alpha?” He laughed a little too harshly, pretending as though the alpha’s presence wasn’t all consuming.

Lan Wangji’s grip tightened, not enough to hurt but enough to translate the alpha was not happy about hearing those words flow off the omega’s tongue.

Wei Wuxian stood up on his tiptoes to fully reach the alpha’s height, putting his free hand against his chest, “Does the idea upset you?”

“You know it does. Do not play, Wei Ying.”

His smile grew mischievous once more as he leaned in, closer to Lan Wangji’s face, “Mm, I don’t recall discussing that at all. What upsets you about it? That I might like it? That even though I’m yours I’m still potentially at risk of being claimed by another at any moment? I can still be taken from you. Unwillingly bound to another with one little bite.”

Of course Wei Wuxian remembered how much this irked the prince. The few hours before his heat were miserable and he clearly recalled how he insulted the prince, suggesting another alpha would care for his needs during his heat if Lan Wangji did not.

Wei Wuxian was playing with fire.

Lan Wangji wrapped an arm around his waist and pulled the omega flush against him, pressing his lips deeply against the other with a snarl. Wei Wuxian moaned into the kiss, falling back onto the balls of his feet. He let his weight fall backwards, Lan Wangji released his grip on the omega’s wrist and wrapped the same arm around his waist to meet the other. Wei Wuxian found himself floating as he leaned further back, his feet hovering off the floor while Lan Wangji chased his lips and supported him upward.

He put both his arms around the alpha’s neck, desperately wanting to pull away and tease the man more but the kiss was relentless and suffocating and feral.

Lan Wangji dug his nails into the omega’s back, making Wei Wuxian actually cry out. This time Wei Wuxian bit the alpha’s lip in a desperate attempt at parting the kiss, demanding that the alpha calm himself. Lan Wangji pulled away and Wei Wuxian glared at him with swollen, kiss sore lips. Lan Wangji lightened his grip on the omega’s waist, lowering him back onto his feet.

“Were you trying to eat me?” Wei Wuxian kept his arms around the others' necks, annoyed but not willing to part.

Lan Wangji did not answer, instead he moved to place a kiss against the top of Wei Wuxian’s collar, “You took something from Clan Leader Wen Qing.”

Wei Wuxian always submitted for him, leaning his neck to the side, “A scent suppressant.”

Lan Wangji pulled back, a heated anger flaming in his eyes, “Why? I told you not to do that.”

“Then scent me,” Wei Wuxian’s own eyes gleamed as he looked up toward his alpha.

“You couldn’t possibly be going into another heat. Your last one before the most recent was months apart. Why did you take a suppressant?” He ignored the request, dancing around the suggestion as he always did.

Wei Wuxian straightened back up and pressed their foreheads together, “You keep track of my heats? How sweet of you, Hanguang-Jun.”

“Of course,” Lan Wangji breathed in, “Wei Ying, tell me why.”

“Does it bother you?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Your scent lets me know you’re safe,” he answered quickly, “it tells me your mood. I cannot read you as easily, and you’re acting up. You suppressed your nature, of course it upsets me.”

Wei Wuxian laughed, “You make me sound so easily read.”

“Wei Ying.”

He chewed his cheek for a second, “I didn’t want Madam Yu to pick up on my scent.”

Lan Wangji’s eyebrows knitted together, waiting for him to continue.

“She expects me to represent the Jiang clan well. She, like everyone else, wants me to fulfill my duties to the throne. If she picks up on my changing scent she may think of me as weak for needing fertility support. I would be failing the Jiang clan as an omega.”

It wasn’t a lie but another side step around the truth. Madam Yu had impressively high expectations of Wei Wuxian. Jiang Fengmian had always put the omega on a pedestal to make his own son try harder. Enough so that it drove Madam Yu to hate their ward. Now her own daughter had been married off and unable to represent their clan in court, meaning the ward she hated was to be her only hope of getting a good word in for the Jiang’s. She expected him to be pregnant. And he was, but to no one else's knowledge aside from Jiang Yanli and Wen Ning.

“You are not weak for that,” Lan Wangji brushed a tress of hair behind his ear.

Wei Wuxian leaned into his palm, “Mm. That’s not something you get to determine. There is a lot of judgement on this side of the sexes.”

Lan Wangji rested the same hand against the side of his face, “Their judgement means nothing.”

“To you,” Wei Wuxian pulled away and put both his hands against either side of Lan Wangji’s face, “but to me it means excommunication, seclusion, a threat of lonesomeness. I have told you before, there is no guarantee I am able to do this for you.”

“You do not need to give me a child in order for me to choose you, Wei Ying. That is not the reason I want you.”

Wei Wuxian’s heart stopped. His entire body froze and his mouth went dry, “What?”

Lan Wangji dropped his hand and placed it back at his hips, pulling away, but still entirely consuming his space, so he could look clearly at the omega, “I want a child with you, of course. But that is only an addition to what you can give me.”

“You cannot mean that,” Wei Wuxian frowned, “you must have an heir, Lan Zhan. Do not be foolish enough to think I, alone, could ever be enough.”

Lan Wangji looked confused, clearly thinking he had said all the right things and yet Wei Wuxian sounded angry.

“I do mean it,” Lan Wangji looked the steaming omega over, “what is wrong with that?”

“Everything,” Wei Wuxian groaned and pulled away, “the judgement would be worse. Lan Zhan, you’re a prince! You need an heir, and I need to provide one for you. A selected consort, let alone a nobody like me, is not enough. I am the son of a servant and the ward of the Jiang clan. You cannot settle just like that.”

“What if I want to?” Lan Wangji reached out again and Wei Wuxian jumped away.

Wei Wuxian felt tears prickling at his eyes, “You are not going to ruin your reputation for me. Do not give up on me, don’t go easy.”

Lan Wangji stared at him, “Wei Ying.”

“Lan Zhan,” he retorted, “I have been judged my whole life for being an omega. I have a duty. Do. Not. Settle. Not for less.”

Lan Wangji sighed, “What are you implying?”

“If I cannot provide a child then you should find another who can,” Wei Wuxian bit out before he could hold it in and back away from the conversation, a tear falling.

Lan Wangji tried his hand again and reached out, wiping the tear away, “You will give me a child then.”

Wei Wuxian’s stomach was in knots. He felt himself wanting to tell the prince he was already creating one for him, but the small sense of doubt lingered heavily at the back of his mind. With so much self hatred these days and the continuous mood swings he went through alone, the lines were blurred between right and wrong.

He reached up and hugged the second crown prince, the father of his unborn child, “Okay. Good.”

Lan Wangji’s arms fit so perfectly at the small of his back as he pulled the omega in closer, “You are going to drive me mad without your scent being as strong as it was.”

Wei Wuxian’s laugh was wet as more tears continued to pour out, he leaned his head under the alpha’s chin and rubbed himself against his scent glands, “It will return tonight.”

Lan Wangji let the omega use his scent willingly, “Good.”

-

Wei Wuxian had peeled away from the embrace and regretted it immediately after. Now he found himself sitting in front of the sword fighting arena with a handful of sweaty alpha’s. He cursed his selection of words earlier.

The stench alone was making his nose crinkle as he tried to keep a passive face during the brawls. The only other alpha’s he had only been around since his pregnancy was Jiang Cheng and Jin Zixuan. The former being a familiar and somewhat comforting scent and the later always being annoying but not unwelcomed since his jiejie loved the man.

Now, sitting in the near winter air with an army of alpha hormones bombarding the area while simultaneously pregnant and unbonded, he was squirming to get away. No position was comfortable and it didn’t help he could see Lan Wangji’s imperial advisor jotting notes down while watching him squirm. Wei Wuxian desperately wanted to bite the rodent of a man’s head off these days.

His instincts and his logic were dueling just as the sword masters in front of him were. Jin Zixun was part of the third round and when he approached the arena he was cockily swinging his sword. The dirt-ridden scent wafted toward Wei Wuxian. He lifted his sleeve and feigned a laugh but in reality it was to ease the mouth watering urge to vomit the nothingness he had in his stomach.

Lan Wangji called to him with concern in his eyes at the random and faked laugh and Wei Wuxian blinked up at him.

“Just saw something in the distance,” he smiled.

He wanted to sit closer to the prince. The distance between them made him feel disconnected from him.

“Are you uncomfortable?”

Yes.

“No,” he shook his head and bit out the lie, “please don’t concern yourself with me, your highness.”

Lan Wangji frowned but still forced his gaze away and Wei Wuxian wasn’t happy about it. He wanted the alpha’s attention solely back on him in this large crowd despite his palace etiquette after getting that small taste of concern.

He looked back to the arena and leaned to the side, tapping his fingers against the side of his head.

Jin Zixun had just finished making his opponent of the Nie clan call the fight, both clan members sweating buckets. Wei Wuxian narrowed his eyes when Jin Zixun looked over at him with a smirk, smart enough not to let his gaze linger on Wei Wuxian while in front of the second crown prince.

The games went on for a while longer and Wei Wuxian was grateful once they came to an end. When Jiang Fengmian had addressed the crowd he was announced an archery competition would be held later to honor the last, unfair, competition held by the Wen clan years prior. From there, a winner would be determined.

Wei Wuxian puffed his cheeks, this just basically meant more sitting and watching for him. He looked to Lan Wangji again, and Lan Wangji’s eyes were trained strictly in front of himself.

Once the formal announcements were done did Lan Wangji stand from his designated seat. Wei Wuxian waited until he came to his side and offered his hand, which Wei Wuxian accepted eagerly. He held onto his hand tightly and coyly brushed his arm against the princes. His instincts purred at being closer to the alpha while Lan Wangji’s scent wafted around him.

The imperial advisor walked up to them both and Wei Wuxian dropped the alpha’s hand, staying a step behind him.

“Your highness, clan leader Jiang Fengmian and Madam Yu are awaiting your company for the meeting set today,” he bowed.

Lan Wangji nodded, “I will be there momentarily.”

The imperial advisor stood back up and looked toward Wei Wuxian before nodding and departing to wait a distance away for the prince.

“He is not a fan of me,” Wei Wuxian laughed.

“You question his judgement,” Lan Wangji eyed him, “can you truly blame him?”

“You’re defending him?” Wei Wuxian scoffed.

“I am not. I am only pointing out your distaste for him as well,” he spoke slowly as if not to irk the omega.

Wei Wuxian wanted to cross his arms but fought the urge, reminding himself they were in public and yet another argument would only cause more rumors for the palace and the Jiang clan.

“Go to your meeting. I will keep myself busy,” Wei Wuxian said.

“How?” Lan Wangji frowned.

“Does it matter?” Wei Wuxian asked while looking around at the dispersing crowd.

“Yes.”

Wei Wuxian looked back at him with a playful gleam in his eye, “I wanna scout the talent here.”

“You cannot be alone without—“

“Wen Ning!” Wei Wuxian called over Lan Wangji’s shoulder. A few people turned to look at the outburst but the servant himself turned red in the face, easily spotted like a target in the crowd.

“Wei Ying,” Lan Wangji sighed.

Wei Wuxian smiled innocently, “I won't be alone now, is that fine by you?”

“Guards, Wei Ying. A beta servant is not enough,” Lan Wangji pointed out.

Wen Ning scurried over through the sea of people and stood beside his master for the first time today with a hasty bow, “Young master, I apologize—“

“None of that,” Wei Wuxian waved his hands in his usual dismissing gesture, “I wanna go to the archery range. Lan Zhan wont let me without a supervisor, will you please make sure I don’t jump on another alpha and let them destroy me?”

Lan Wangji’s scent spiked and Wei Wuxian was pleased to smell it even stronger.

“O-of course,” Wen Ning sounded unsure.

“Wei Ying—“

“See? Wen Ning will keep everyone safe from me,” he smirked and bowed to the second crown prince, “I will see you after your meeting.”

Wei Wuxian stood up and walked away without a dismissal. He heard Wen Ning’s feet crunch against the gravel while catching up after being left a little dumbfounded in the dust.

“Young master, his highness does not look very happy—“

“He can remain unhappy,” Wei Wuxian grumbled, “we are at my former clans location. He has meetings and I should be allowed to explore. I refuse to be locked up while he attends his boring royal duties.”

“If I may, I don’t think it’s the exploring that's upset him,” he commented.

“Hm?” Wei Wuxian kept walking ahead with his back held straight.

“It’s all the other alpha’s around,” the beta servant commented, “you are being looked at like meat on a platter, young master.”

Wei Wuxian laughed, “Let them look, I’ve never cared about their attention in the past and that hasn’t changed.”

-

The archery range was full of people from various clans. Wei Wuxian stood back from them all and observed from a distance with Wen Ning beside him. He made a few comments here and there to his servant but left them only as comments.

His fingers ached to pull a bowstring back and let go. He wanted to feel the release and snapping sensation, the quiver of the entire bow after release. Not long ago it was him on these training grounds improving his aim.

Wei Wuxian huffed and sat down on a bench just outside the archery range, glaring at all the lucky souls who still got to callous their hands.

“Consort Wei Wuxian,” Jin Zixun approached him with a bow.

Wei Wuxian’s eyes slid over to the alpha, “Jin Zixun. To what do I owe the pleasure?”

Jin Zixun stood up, “I see the palace taught you how to speak like a proper omega now.”

“Proper?” Wei Wuxian laughed, “Was there something wrong with the way I spoke before? Or were you just too dim to understand?”

Jin Zixun was smart enough not to burst at that response. Wei Wuxian was pleased it still made him turn red in the face, “Clearly still working on manners.”

Wei Wuxian sighed and looked away, “If you’re going to waste my time…”

“Waste your time?” He scoffed, “When a Jin talks to you it is always of importance, even with remedial things.”

Jiang Yanli had been closer to the field with her husband, bouncing Jin Ling on her hip. She turned her head to see the interaction and whispered something to her husband.

“Then what is so important?” Wei Wuxian asked while watching the married couple.

“I just wanted to congratulate you.”

Wei Wuxian’s brows furrowed as he looked back at him. There was no way the alpha knew about his conception. He refused to let his face expose anything, keeping his expression neutral, “On?”

“On somehow still being collared,” Jin Zixun observed him, “it’s impressive to see you be nothing more than an accessory to the royal family. With the way the second crown prince drags you around, I’d almost mistake you as a doll.”

Wei Wuxian narrowed his eyes and felt Wen Ning’s hand gently placed at his shoulder, “Does the Jin clan not see it fit to have collared omega’s in the second crown princes’ harem?”

“Not at all. It is my personal opinion,” he smiled and Wei Wuxian wanted to punch it off his lips, “if my family had it our way, you would have been uncollared long ago. Just for the obedience aspect.”

“Why would I ever care about how you would treat me as a Jin omega?” Wei Wuxian snorted.

“Oh, they never told you?” Jin Zixun looked him up and down.

Wei Wuxian was getting impatient, “Tell me what?”

“You were supposed to be sold to us Jin’s,” He smirked.

“A-Xian,” Jiang Yanli stepped between them without Jin Ling, facing Wei Wuxian who shot up off the bench. She put her hands against his chest to stop him from moving forward and challenging the alpha.

“Why would I believe you? You’ve never been anything but a lying bitch,” Wei Wuxian growled at Jin Zixun, stopping just short of him thanks to Jin Yanli’s interception.

“A bitch, huh? I think that’s what you are now, Wei Wuxian. The selected consort who won't even be able to raise their own child,” his laugh was vulgar.

Wei Wuxian’s fists clenched, “Any child of mine will only be raised by me.”

“You bought that shit?” Jin Zixun raised an eyebrow, “No consort raises their own children. They only tell them that so they’ll willingly breed. The crown princes’ themselves weren’t even raised by their own consort mother.”

“A-Xian,” Jiang Yanli called but Wei Wuxian was seeing red, “you have created your own path with no one’s praise. Why seek it now? Please…”

“Oh, angry now?” Jin Zixun crossed his arms, “That’s more like the Wei Wuxian we all knew. An errant omega.”

Wei Wuxian felt the same black shadow from before begin to swirl at his wrists.

“Consort Wei Wuxian,” Lan Xichen’s voice was clear as day behind him.

The shadow dissipated instantaneously at the regal voice. He glanced behind himself to see Lan Xichen and a few guards standing there, looking completely out of place and far too dressy for an archery range. Eyes were on them, people crowding to see what the commotion was about.

“Your highness,” his jaw was clenched but he bowed along with Jiang Yanli, Jin Zixun, and the rest of the archery range.

“You may rise,” Lan Xichen requested and eyed his brother's consort, “Consort Wei Wuxian, your assistance is needed in the north. We require the inquiry of the Yiling Patriarch. Privately.”

Wei Wuxian blinked, “Of course.”

-

“No,” Lan Wangji growled.

Wei Wuxian stood to the side of the meeting hall. Lan Xichen had interrupted whatever the second crown prince had been discussing with the Jiang’s in their meeting to pull his younger brother away.

But the second crown prince did not budge from the room, he only glared at his older brother with avid denial upon seeing his older brother with Wei Wuxian. A clear indication they’ve discussed Wei Wuxian’s role in this situation before.

“Wangji, he is skilled,” Lan Xichen patiently explained, “the Yiling Patriarch has a record of similar strategies. Consort Wei Wuxian is the founder of the dark path, he can read it better than any general.”

“Wei Ying is not to enter any battlefield,” Lan Wangji denied once more.

Wei Wuxian eyed the floor. In the past he was desperate to get out of the palace and feel the rush of a fight again. The dark power he controlled so easily was once a comforting and natural call. He knew there was a risk if he accepted this mission, a risk he wanted to take in order to prove he was more than a doll. If the formidable foe Lan Xichen was discussing with Lan Wangji was as novice as he made them sound, he could squash the case in a day and get out without a scratch. He could easily win.

Lan Xichen looked tired, “The decision is ultimately trumped from you. The emperor himself has made the request.”

Lan Wangji’s eyes widened momentarily, “Father has no interest in the affairs out north.”

“Shufu has convinced him,” Lan Xichen looked toward the rest of the audience inside the room, “if you will excuse us.”

Jiang Fengmian and Madam Yu got up from their seats and passed Wei Wuxian. Jiang Fengmian’s eyes were encouraging when he looked to Wei Wuxian whereas Madam Yu still held her usual disdain.

Lan Wangji had shifted his eyes to Wei Wuxian, “I will not send Wei Ying.”

“You are being ordered to, Wangji,” Lan Xichen sighed, “you may see him off to Yi City and leave him with your most trusted soldiers. There is more fighting breaking out further down that requires you as well.”

“You want us to seperate?” Lan Wangji’s eyes went back to look as his brother.

“It is not what I want,” Lan Xichen frowned.

“Tell them no,” Lan Wangji demanded as if it were so simple.

“Your majesties,” Wei Wuxian interrupted, “if I may… It is no bother to me. I am willing and able.”

Lan Wangji’s face had been plastered evenly up until then, he looked angry at the near plead of agreement.

“Wei Ying.”

“Lan Zhan, really,” Wei Wuxian tried to smile reassuringly, “I have wanted to help your family with this.”

“Your courage is commendable, Consort Wei Wuxian,” Lan Xichen complimented him.

“No,” Lan Wangji repeated.

Wei Wuxian knew this was political and his opinion didn’t matter, even if he didn’t want to go he would be dragged there by force.

“Wangji,” Lan Xichen started again, “your consort, regardless of your favoritism, is still a war veteran. It is my belief that Wei Wuxian can handle himself.”

“And if he can’t?” Lan Wangji looked at his brother then, the anger in his eyes turning into something more unsettled.

“It is a sacrifice the empire demands we take,” he said, “we must take risks. It is part of our roles.”

Lan Wangji eyed him levely. The argument was fruitless. Lan Wangji was not going to win over his fathers order.

“I will be okay,” Wei Wuxian spoke up again.

Lan Xichen nodded, “The Yiling Patriarch has not lost a battle yet. The kingdom has sent me with your sword and favored flute. They will both be returned to you upon arrival to Yi City. I trust in Lan Wangji’s forces to debrief you on the situation.”

The mention of Subian and Chenqing made him perk up much to Lan Wangji’s apparent displeasure, “Thank you, your highness.”

Wei Wuxian could tell there was more to discuss between the brothers. He bowed and made his exit, eyes lingering on Lan Wangji as he slid the meeting hall’s door shut.

He knew he was being over confident. It was more than just him in his vessel now and if the empire knew of his conception, he would not be allowed to even leave the palace gates. But if he could prove to them that he could still protect himself… Well, he didn’t know what sort of reward there would be for that. It was just selfish, and he was suddenly craving the freedom he felt in the imperial garden a month ago. The feeling of freedom, the escape of watchful eyes. The thrill of another battle.