The whole 'In Private' idea didn't go as planned. Wei WuXian wanted to spend some time alone with his siblings, and no matter how much Lan Zhan wanted to argue with that, having his own brother he couldn't. On top of that Jiang Cheng was pressuring his brother to go back to Lotus Pier and resume his place helping rebuild the Sect. This was something both Lan Zhan and Wei WuXian knew he wasn't capable of doing, but Jiang Cheng was blissfully unaware. The conversations between the two brothers often turned into fights that could be heard half a mile away, and both always had to be calmed down by the presence of their sister. This almost constant arguing, along with the need for Jiang YanLi to be with her brothers instead of with her intended, Jin Zixuan, meant that the gulf between Wei WuXian and the Jin Sect only widened.

In the end it was agreed that Wei WuXian would accompany both his siblings back to Lotus Pier where he would remain for a while helping rebuild the strength of the Sect, Lan Zhan though would also return with them. This was agreed because, on the surface, Lan Zhan and Wei WuXian told Jiang Cheng that Wei WuXian still needed the support and guidance of Lan Zhan when working with his new cultivation method. Although Jiang Cheng didn't like this idea he couldn't complain about it too much and so agreed

As with most things that concerned both Jiang Cheng and Wei WuXian though, things didn't go quite as planned. Both brothers where stubborn and refused to move on an opinion they thought was correct, both brothers also considered each others position wrong and their own right. When one brother was the Sect leader and the other brother was the more powerful of the two, as well as having a general fear for his cultivation technique, this was a recipe for disaster.

Yanli of course couldn't be around the pair every moment of every day, and when she couldn't Lan Zhan tried his best to be within grabbing distance of Wei WuXian. It was in these few days when Lan Zhan got not only a new sense of respect for Yanli and all she had put up with over the years but also a sense of foreboding of what he was letting himself in-for by falling in love in Wei WuXian. He didn't fool himself for a moment that the man would ever change. He would always be the loyal, hothead. The insufferable proud idiot with a heart of gold. If Lan Zhan was honest about it to himself he wouldn't want it any other way, although he had a feeling his life would be way easier.

In reality Jiang Cheng and Wei WuXian could argue about the colour of the sun if they were allowed to be alone together to long. If one said it was yellow the other would say it was green just out of some stubborn principle. That made what happened in the weeks that followed sadly a matter of when…...not if!

The two had been arguing almost non stop over the preceding days. Stopping only to eat, when their sister had got involved or in the few times Lan Zhan had managed to entice Wei WuXian back to his room for some private time to themselves. Even then though Wei WuXian spent most of that private time ranting about his brother while Lan Zhan listened, rather than doing anything Lan Zhan would more appealing. He had had a horrid feeling that something was going to go wrong on this visit, he just didn't know where, when or why.

It was a nice sunny morning and Lan Zhan was taking a walk alone in Lotus Cove. He was starting to see the appeal it had to Wei WUXian. The place was a bit like the man in some ways, idealistic but with its own edge. It held both fun and seriousness in equal measure but at different times, and the people in it where extremely loyal. Feeling the morning breeze on his face he was beginning to think that the last few days feelings of doom where just him selfishly hoping that when he left Wei WuXian didn't want to remain behind but would come home with him. That's when an out of breath YunMeng disciple ran up to him and without bowing or showing any kind of respect due to his station simply blurted out.

'Miss Jiang requires you in the main hall as soon as possible HanGuang Jun'

Lan Zhan stood still for a moment. YunMeng disciples where not badly trained, so for the man to disregard all civility meant that it was important. And for the message to have come from Miss Jiang...A sudden shiver went up his spine at the idea of the two brother finally saying something they might regret for a long time as he broke a habit of a lifetime and ran towards the main hall.

Wei WuXian and Jiang Cheng where facing each other in the centre of the hall, both breathing heavily and neither shifting their gaze from the other. Something had obviously gone wrong. Jiang Cheng's jaw was clenched tight as if to stop himself speaking and Wei WuXian's fist was gripped tight around Chenqing almost to the point of being white. Yanli stood between the two brothers, but for once neither of them seemed to notice her presence.

When Lan Zhan approached the hall Yanli gave him a relieved smile and stepped sideways slightly towards Jiang Cheng. Lan Zhan took this as his cue to concentrate on Wei WuXian and avoid the situation degenerating any further, although he wished he didn't feel like he was stepping blindly onto a battlefield. Wei WuXian's breath was short and ragged as he tried to control his temper and Lan Zhan knew him holding onto Chenqing wasn't making this process any easier.

'Wei Ying' he said as he approached and carefully rested his open hand on his partners arm.

Wei WuXian just turned and looked at him, his eyes slightly out of focus. Oh no this wasn't good.

'Wei Ying' his voice was a little more assertive this time….'Wei Ying give me Chenqing'

No movement came from Wei WuXian but a little flicker of recognition in those eyes made him try again.

'Wei Ying, give me Chenqing…...please.'

This time there was more of a flicker of recognition and Wei WuXian's fingers relaxed on the flute. Lan Zhan took the opportunity to remove from his grasp with his free hand while still keeping his other wrapped around his arm. Almost immediately he noticed Wei WuXian's breath begin to level out as he was no longer fighting with the energy inside him, just his own temper. Unfortunalty it was at this time Jiang Cheng decided to speak up.

'Ohh so you listen to him but not to me' he said in a voice dripping with sarcasm ' you don't have to listen to your brother or you sect leader anymore but you listen to the man who sneaks into your room at night to share your bed'

Yanli gasped and tried to calm her brother down but he was to furious to listen. Lan Zhan shot Jiang Cheng a glare hoping the idiot would stop talking. He was lucky that Chenqing had already been taken from Wei WuXian's hands or the main hall might soon have turned into a battle ground.

'A-Cheng stop' Yanli shouted, noticing that We WuXian's temper was rising again.

'A- Xian isn't even defending himself'

'Jiang Cheng just shrugged off her arm and began speaking again his voice almost dripping acid.

'You said you would help me rebuild. You said you be by my side to make this Sect grow strong. And what are you doing brother!….…...huh!…..tell me!…..….what are you doing!...….you are spending all your time either drinking, idling around or with him!…...Jiang Cheng glared at Lan Zhan and seemed to not notice the warning look he was getting in return..…..'Where is the help you promised me?...Your all talk arn't you! You never want to do anything thats work..…...your too lazy'

Jiang Cheng abruptly turned away with a voice just as much defeat as it held anger as he walked out the hall.

'This is how you repay my parents for raising you'

Yanli stood their stunned for a moment staring at nothing, before turning to Wei WuXian. He stood their as still as a statue but Lan Zhan could feel the resistance in his grip. The slight tremor in his body. Slowly Lan Zhan nodded to Yanli who darted out after her other brother leaving both men alone in the large hall. Lan Zhan didn't risk relaxing his wrist even though his own knuckles where aching. Wei WuXian looked like any moment he would crack and either collapse on the floor or fly into a rage. He wasn't sure which would be worse.

pAfter what seemed like hours Wei WuXian spoke through gritted teeth, his jaw barely moving, his breath and movements still so tightly under control Lan Zhan worried for his health.

'Lan Zhan, get me out of here!'

A few days later news travelled around the cultivation community of the large fight between the two brothers. How Jiang Cheng had finally stood up to his useless and dangerous brother. Jiang Cheng's reputation was rising, after all everyone had seen what Wei WuXian was capable of at the battle of Nevernight. He wasn't normal, no one should trust him. Even if he was on the right side now who knew about the future.

Hearing this news in his home the unknown figure laughed happily. That talk with Jiang Cheng hadn't been useless after all. The man was so insecure he was easy to manipulate. Maybe things where finally beginning to get back on track.