Ch26

That evening when Wei Ying crawled into bed he had expected Lan Zhan to join him a little while later. It wasn't unusual for Lan Zhan to be up working later than him which is why he always slept on the inside. Lan Zhan went to sleep later and got up earlier, him sleeping on the inside solved the problem of Lan Zhan climbing over him. However when he woke up the next morning he found the other side of the bed hadn't been disturbed at all. A little confused he rose, washed, dressed and went to look for the wayward Lan Zhan. He found him sat at his desk reading some reports with a cold cup of tea by his side, a cup of tea that looked completely untouched. Wei Ying frowned and crouched down in front of the desk.

'Lan Zhan'

No response. So Wei Ying spoke up louder wondering if for some reason Lan Zhan had fallen asleep at his desk last night.

'Lan Zhan?'

This time Lan Zhan looked up from his scroll. The normal blankness in both his face and voice as he responded.

'Do you want something?'

'Did you sleep at all last night?' Wei Ying probed.

'Yes…...I slept in the spare bed' Lan Zhan stated blandly.

'WHY?' Wei Ying couldn't stop his voice from rising in surprise. 'It's you that said we didn't need that bed. That it was just for your uncle.'

'I am going to be busy for a while' Lan Zhan's monotone voice was almost icy. 'I don't want to disturb you, so I will use the spare bed.'

"Wei Ying wasn't a fool, he knew there was something behind this sudden change of attitude on Lan Zhan's part. He also knew that Lan Zhan wouldn't tell him unless he wanted to. The man in front of him could make a mute look like a gossip. Instead he stood up from his crouch and nodded towards the desk.

'In that case I will use the spare bed from now on. After all it was bought in here for me. It will be less disturbance for you to sleep in your own.

Lan Zhan had already turned his attention back to his reading as soon as Wei Ying began to stand so he simply stated.

As you wish!'

As I wish! what I wish is to know what the hell is going on with you right now. Wei Ying thought as he stood completely confused at the turn of events but could only wait and find out. Shrugging to himself he walked out of the JingShi into the open air, hoping it would give him some inspiration.

The days that followed left Wei Ying even more confused as to what had transpired. He would wake up in the morning to find either Lan Zhan sat at his desk reading reports or out of the JingShi altogether. Either way it didn't matter as if he was sat behind the desk he still got ignored completely anyway. Lan Zhan would work all day while Wei Ying found things to pass the time. Sometimes Lan Zhan would be back to the JingShi before Wei Ying went to sleep and they would have a meal together but if Wei Ying tried to raise any kind of conversation all he got in response was 'No speaking while eating' and then silence would fall again. Once Lan Zhan had needed to retrieve something from his desk and Wei Ying happened to be bathing. Before all this awkwardness Wei Ying would have made a joke about Lan Zhan ignoring his work and joining him in the tub, or maybe scrubbing his back. Now though it somehow didn't feel appropriate and Wei Ying had remained silent, even sinking deeper into the tub until only his eyes could be seen over the top. Emerging only when Lan Zhan left again. Both men had also returned to sleeping with their under robes on as if by silent agreement, the once relaxed atmosphere of the JingShi filled with one of tension.

If Wei Ying had been anyone else he would have asked Lan XiChen to return him to the Wen village and left Lan Zhan to solve whatever problem he was having on his own instead of taking it out on him. However although it was obvious that Lan Zhan could be more silent than a wooden post when he wanted to, Wei Ying could be more stubborn. When Wei Ying decided he wanted to find something out, he never stopped until he achieved it. Unknown to the two, Wei Ying wasn't the only one finding Lan Zhan's current behaviour odd. Lan XiChen had been observing the two the last few days from a distance. He had thought about asking Wei Ying what the problem was with his brother, but what what he had seen the man seemed as clueless as he was. Maybe the current situation and never ending rumours where getting to them both. In which case what he had to share today might help solve more than one problem.

Wei Ying was pacing around inside the JingShi, figuring out how he could finally pin down Lan Zhan and ring the truth out of him once and for all, when footsteps approached. Turning round to face the door he noticed Lan XiChen pause at the entrance before stepping inside. Wei Ying bowed politely feeling a little awkward. A few days ago he would have felt comfortable entertaining the elder Jade of Lan in the JingShi without Lan Zhan present, but now he felt more like an unwanted visitor than ever and well aware this was not his home.

'Please stand Young Master Wei, you don't need to bow here.' Lan XiChen said politely.

Wei Ying stood and with a wave of his hand beckoned the older man to the table in the centre of the room.

'May I get you any tea ZeWu Jun?'

He knew he was acting like a host inviting a visitor to drink tea, but he could hardly leave the Sect leader stood at the door. It didn't matter if it was his brothers house or not. Lan XiChen walked slowly to the table and sat at the cushion leaving Wei Ying standing awkwardly waiting for the response.

No thank you Young Master Wei but please join me.'

Thankful for a direction to move the conversation in Wei Ying sat down opposite the other man.

'Sorry to appear over eager but do you have any news of my sister?'

Lan XiChen smiled widely.

'You are not over eager at all Young Master Wei, I have seen how much you and your sister care for each other and would expect you to ask. I actually came to inform you that a date and place has been agreed on with your sister to come and meet you.'

Wei Ying couldn't contain his excitement having completely forgotten the awkwardness of a few seconds ago, He rose up on his knees leaning forwards and eagerly exclaimed.

'When? Where? How?…..Is she coming alone?….Does my brother know?…...She actually still wants to see me…..…..she….'

The torrent of questions was stopped with Lan XiChen raising his hand. Wei Ying fell silent and nearly mumbled and apology but thought it was best not to say anything.

'She is very eager to see you Young Master Wei, as for your brother I do not know you will have to ask her yourself. As for your first three questions, the meeting will take place in a small town on the outskirts of our Sects territory. It is far away enough from Gusu for people not to link her visit with with us but still under our protection so no one will look twice when yourself and Wanji turn up. You two will take rooms at one inn and she will take a room at another preselected inn. On the day agreed you can both meet and speak alone.'

It was only after Lan XiChen had paused that something clicked in Wei Ying's mind.

'Wait you said me and Lan Zhan?'

Lan XiChen just nodded.

'Why?' Wei Ying asked honestly confused. Lan Zhan didn't want to be anywhere near him right now let alone stuck in the same inn with him for a few days.

'Wanji is a well known cultivator Young Master Wei, if he is travelling with a junior disciple of the Sect no one will look twice. They will just assume he is on a mission or hunting. It is the easiest way to hide not only your identity but also the fact you will be meeting your sister.'

Wei Ying had to admit that Lan XiChen was a lot more crafty than his brother, he had thought of all the angles and how to get round any problems. He could only nod his agreement and hope Lan Zhan's sudden hatred of him would not ruin his only chance to see his sister.

They had arrived at the inn a few hours earlier, it was spacious and well kept up so neither of them had any problems with the accommodation. Wei Ying sighed silently in relief when he found out Lan XiChen had booked them two rooms, at least he would get away from Lan Zhan who had looked even more gloomy than normal since being told about this outing. YanLi wouldn't arrive for another 2 days but everyone thought having groups from both the GusuLan and YunMeng Jiang Clans arrive and leave at the same times, supposedly for no connected reasons, would be too much of a coincidence and even and idiot would work it out.

Wei Ying was dressed in the light blue robes of a junior cultivator of the Lan Sect. His hair was tied in the simple blue ribbon common to all Sect members, however on his forehead was s simple, plain ribbon marking him as an outer disciple not an inner member or leader like Lan Zhan. Before the ribbon was passed to him as part of his outfit he hadn't really taken notice of the differences in the ribbons. He of course had noticed the leaders wore more elaborate ribbons than the disciples, but he had always assumed the other differences where between Lan Clan and Lan Sect members. He thought it looked a bit silly on him to be honest but he was also well aware of the honour he was receiving in being given such an item when he belonged neither to the clan nor Sect.

The one downside to wearing this type of outfit though was that everyone knew the GusuLan didn't drink even a drop of alcohol, so he couldn't take this opportunity to indulge in his favourite pastime while he was out of the confines of the Cloud Reccess. He could however enjoy a walk down the main street and look at the shops and stalls, buy a few pieces of jewellery for his sister ans sweet snacks for himself. He could enjoy the fresh air without hearing anyone tell him about this rule or that rule, or see Lan Zhan's grumpy face. As long as he didn't shout too loud or run too fast no one paid him any notice. After all the Wei Ying wore black and always carried his now infamous flute everywhere he went. He still had ChenQing with him but in his luggage back in his room, at his waist hung a sword suitable for outside disciple. A spiritual sword, but nothing high class, with minimal decoration. People certainly wouldn't believe he could be anything but a follower to the holder of the famous Bichen.

After a relaxing afternoon he went up to his room after asking for some water for a bath, he might be a low level cultivator but he was still one of the GusuLan so they informed him it would be soon. After stripping off his sword belt and checking ChenQing was still safe in his luggage a knock came on the door. Assuming it was his bath water being delivered he opened it happily only to see the concerned face of the inn's owner.

'Is something wrong?' He asked honestly confused.

The inn owner bowed slightly before speaking in a panicked whisper.

Young Master, there are lots of bangs and crashes coming from Master Lan's room. We have been forbidden from entering. Please can you go and check he is unharmed?'

Wei Ying wanted to say that Lan Zhan was probably throwing a temper tantrum based on his behaviour lately, but even he had to admit that was a bit too out of character. Instead he nodded, reluctantly agreeing to go check on Lan Zhan (avoiding the point that HE was probably the reason everyone was forbidden from entering that room in the first place) and the owner walked off relieved to see to his other guests.