Ch 24

Lan Zhan gave another inaudible wince as the ointment was applied to a wound on his back. Since Wei Ying had woken up the two of them had gone though many emotional trials but the past few weeks had settled into a relaxed routine. The two would get up in a morning, well normally Lan Zhan would get up and physically drag a naked Wei Ying out of bed until he was far enough away from it that he couldn't climb back in without opening his eyes. Their morning routine would involve Lan Zhan getting breakfast for them both while Wei Ying either tried unsuccessfully to get comfy on the hard floor or staggered over to the basin to wash. Eventually both would be washed and had eaten breakfast, it was then the next part of the morning routine would begin. Lan Zhan would remove his robe and lie face down on the bed. Wei Ying would bring the ointments and begin working on the wounds in his back and legs.

The wounds where getting better slowly, although the ones closest to his spine and backside still stung when the ointment was applied as they seemed to reopen every time he walked. Wei Ying had no problem paying extra attention to these areas though, Lan Zhan didn't have any problem with the extra attention either. At the moment Wei Ying was taking extra time and attention in rubbing some ointment into one of his wounds. Wei Ying laughed slightly.

'Its a good job they didn't hit your ass Lan Zhan' Wei Ying said in a playful tone from behind Lan Zhan's head, as his slippery hand roamed upwards. 'Its such a pretty ass after all it would be a pity to ruin it.'

Lan Zhan smiled but kept his tone measured when he spoke.

'Wei Ying I thought you were helping with my wounds…...I don't have any on my ass so why are you spending so much attention on it?'

Another laugh came from Wei Ying as his hand with a little more pressure over Lan Zhan's backside.

'Arn't you listening? didn't I just say I like it….why wouldn't I pay attention to it?.'

This time Lan Zhan let his voice show his amusement.

'Maybe I should have agreed with my Uncle and let the healer come. After all you aren't exactly being professional'

'Your uncle was scared about me seeing you nude….I wonder what he would say if he knew that I see you with your clothes off every night?..…..….umm actually that night in the cave in YiLing when I was drunk, if I remember right you didn't even take all your clothes off. But you took off all of mine...Does your Uncle know you like taking advantage of drunken men who can't defend themselves?'

Wei Ying's laughter was getting more playful and Lan Zhan could feel himself itching inside but he knew that even though Wei Ying might be well enough to manage, he wouldn't. Instead Lan Zhan forced himself to speak through gritted teeth.

'Wei Ying move your hands!…..and my uncle….' He stopped, he couldn't think of how to say exactly what his uncle had thought.

Wei Ying did move his hands back to the wounds on his legs and actually apply the ointment where it was supposed to go, but he kept snickering under his breath while he worked.

'What?' Lan Zhan asked eventually.

'Your Uncle still thinks you are a pure little innocent virgin boy' Wei Ying responded while obviously trying not to laugh at the word 'virgin'.

Lan Zhan growled loud enough for them both to clearly hear.

'Wei Ying when I'm better you will be sorry.'

'Ohhh promises promises...' Wei Ying laughed. But he finally focused on finishing the final few wounds and allowing Lan Zhan. Wei Ying didn't need ointment on his burns any more so this eventually allowed both men to get fully dressed and leave the Jingshi to begin their day.

Lan Zhan sighed. One of them had always been injured since he left Wei Ying alone in YiLing, first Wei Ying and his burns then himself and his punishment. The most they had been able to share since then were kisses before sleeping in each others arms. He didn't know about Wei Ying but Lan Zhan wanted more...needed more...craved more.

Both men walked through the crisp morning air of the Cloud Recess comfortably next to each other. Although for the last few weeks they had both shared a house and a bed neither of them had actually bought up the subject of their relationship, as such neither of them where sure what type of relationship to tell other people they were in when asked. Wei Ying silently thanked the fact that the Lan Sect were forbidden from gossiping, as it gave them chance to work things out for themselves. This morning though Lan Zhan had work to do in the library before meeting his Uncle. Normally when left alone Wei Ying would either lounge around in the Jingshi doing nothing or make his way over to the archery range, he would often help out with the training by physically improving the students stances and aim. He enjoyed his time spent with the students, and even some of the older juniors enjoyed his involvement in the lessons. Deep down inside Wei Ying thought that that was because he wasn't as stuck up as the other teachers.

Today though things were slightly different. Today Wei Ying was headed over to Lan ZiChen's office for some kind of meeting, he didn't quite know why but he felt like he was back in that school room years ago waiting for the scroll to get thrown at his head. Lan Zhan must have noticed his uncertainty as he placed his hand on his wrist to get him to pause. Wei Ying stopped at the unvoiced instruction, turning towards the man next to him.

'Is something wrong?' He asked slightly concerned at the sudden contact.

'No' Lan Zhan replied in his normal monotone voice 'but I can tell you are uncomfortable about something'

Wei Ying smiled but didn't try to remove his hand. The people in the Cloud Recesss would either not look or pretend they didn't see anything so he wasn't worried about being seen in public.

'I'm fine Lan Zhan. I guess I'm just a little nervous about going to see your brother.'

Lan Zhan's only response to the honest remark was to release Wei Ying's wrist and nod in the direction of Lan XiChen's office.

'Very helpful!' Wei Ying grumbled under his breath as he turned to go to his meeting. After a few steps though he paused and turned back around wanting to tell Lan Zhan he would see him later in the Jingshi, but he had already vanished from view. Shrugging Wei Ying once again turned and headed for the Sect leaders office, the feeling that something was going to go wrong still at the back of his head.

Knocking at the door he waited for the person inside to give him permission to enter the room. Unlike other Sects he had been to over the years the Lan Sects leaders office didn't have any guards or protection of any kind. The Lan Sect relied heavily on both their reputation in the cultivation world and their abilities to protect themselves to prevent any problems. Hearing the permission to enter come from inside Wei Ying stepped over the door threshold and inside. Lan ZiXChen sat staring into a cup on tea at a large table in the room. His desk was to the side in one corner and looked even more organised than Lan Zhan's, although Wei Ying wasn't actually sure how that was possible.

A cough snapped him out of his thoughts and he turned back towards Lan XiChen who had himself turned from whatever interesting thing was in the teacup to face Wei Ying.

'Please join me Young Master Wei' Lan XiChen invited, pointing to a cushion on the other side of the table.

Wei Ying's feelings of dread slipped away a little more as he went to sit down. After all, he told himself, the elder of the twin jades of Lan had always been pleasant and approachable without the cold exterior of his younger brother and the harsh temper of his uncle. He started feeling a little foolish about his thoughts from earlier.

'Thank you ZeWu Jun' He said seriously as he bowed his head in a formal response.

However rather than smiling Lan XiChen seemed to find his tea cup interesting again so Wei Ying sat as quietly as he could and waited to be addressed. His nerves rising with each moment of silence that old memory of ducking from the flying scrolls in the classroom came to mind again. Eventually Lan XiChen put down his cup for the second time and began speaking.

'Young Master Wei I do not know how much of what has happened you are actually aware of. I was going to speak to you when you awoke but then Wanji's punishment complicated things and I decided to give you both some space to heal before having this conversation' He paused for a moment to give Wei Ying what he hoped was a reassuring smile. 'I hope you will bare with me if I repeat anything you already know. You already know what the original idea was concerning yourself and the Wen survivors, however when Wanji returned that day with you unconscious and obviously badly injured we had to change the plan.'

Wei Ying could only nod as he listened, finally happy that he was being given the full story especially as he had been a large part of it.

'We called a meeting of all disciples who have unrestricted access to the Cloud Recess and swore them to follow the following rule. If anyone asked them about you or the Wen they would swear they know nothing and if the person wants any information they would have to ask myself, my uncle or Wanji. We will decide who knows what regarding yourself and the Wen.' He held up a piece of paper and seemed to pause before holding it out in between the two of them. 'One person did contact Wanji within a few days of your accident however you were still unconscious so he passed it to me. I have not answered this yet as I believed this was something you would have to decide for yourself if it gets answered or not'.

As Lan XiChen stopped speaking Wei Ying nervously reached out and took the small piece of paper. Only one person had cared enough about him to see if he was alive or dead, the reality hurt. Who this person was part of him was scared to find out, his hands trembled slightly as he unfolded the paper revealing the fine elegant handwriting inside.

Almost immediately his breath hitched in his throat and he forced the tears down that were threatening to burst from his eyes. Silently he read the letter. Lan Wanji. Please forgive the informal form of address and if what I have to say in this letter is offensive to you then I bow to you in apology for my error. I write to you and not the Elders of the GusuLan or any other Sect because when I and my brothers spent the time at the Cloud Recess I got the impression that your feelings for my Elder brother Wei Ying where not like those of others. I am happy my A-Xian has someone who cares for him and hopes he finds all he deserves. I have never believed that cultivating an alternative path can turn such a bright heart into one of evil, nothing will ever change that. However recently A-Xian has been vilified and they say he even been killed in YiLing. I don't believe this, I would know in my heart if my brother had died. No one believes me! No one is looking for him! Please help me find and save my brother. Even if he never returns home, even if he hates me for not protecting him as I should have. Please help me find out he is still safe and well. I can't trust anyone else! This is regarding my brothers life! Jiang Yanli.

Tear drops stained the paper where Wei Ying had been reading but fortunately had missed the words and not ruined the heartfelt note. Lan XiChen glance down pretending he didn't see anything. If the letter itself hadn't shown him the connection between the brother and sister then this reaction would have left no doubt. Wei Ying and his brother were so unalike in many was, but in two critical ways they were identical .They were both fiercely loyal and extraordinarily strong people even if they did show it differently. Wei Ying had not broken when he was kicked out of his only home by his adoptive brother, he had not broken when he was thrown into the burial mounds, he had not broken when he had nearly died in the cave at YiLing. However looking at the weeping man before him Lan XiChen realised that if the unconditional love of a sister was enough to break such a strong man, and maybe that could be a good thing.

'I want to see her!'

The words came out strong although Wei Ying's eyes were read and he was obviously fighting to stop his jaw from trembling. Lan XiChen didn't know what to say to the younger man in response so he just found himself nodding his head in agreement.