The first thing she realized was that she was not in the Cloud Recesses.

It was kind of a stupid notion, to think that she would be allowed back there, just because she remembered that she was their senior disciple.

But did it even matter at this point?

She was in Mo village at the moment. Mo Yifan- no, Lin Xuemi- got up at five again.

That's why I've always slept at nine and woken up at five, without fail she thought dryly.

Now that she had her memories, everything began to piece itself together. Why she always felt the need to stay away from people. Why she always felt the need to do meditation, to cultivate in secret, and why her golden core was so goddamn strong. Why she wore a veil and never showed her face to anyone, like she had something to hide. Why she could never see colours, and why she wore a white forehead ribbon (that Second Lady Mo said was on her forehead when she found her).

Why she would ask the seamstresses for robes of vibrant red.

A child of Qishan Wen, indeed.

And she began to raise her eyebrows at the coincidences, because she realized something.

The Gusu Lan disciples were coming here, today, to exorcise an evil being.

Maybe Xichen is here too…

She nearly slapped herself at the ridiculous notion. Why would the Lan Sect Leader be here for something as trivial as this? Xuemi removed her veil and meditated in her bed for a few hours.

It wouldn't be long before they came…

When footsteps sounded outside her door, Xuemi peeked out of her window, and saw the Gusu disciples being led to the main hall, where everyone seemed to be waiting. Shoving her veil into her robes for later use, she picked up her sword and followed them.

Of course she had a sword. Forged by herself, too. Why wouldn't she, if she cultivated in secret?

(Xuemi had named her sword Shuoye, in memory of Xichen, but she was never going to admit it, lest she seem like a lovesick maiden. Later, she would call it Huoying.)

In this life, she spent most of her time in her room, cultivating. It was why many were shocked to see her out and about, without a veil to cover her face. As a consequence, many commented on how beautiful she was, and gossip began to swirl around as to why she was wearing a veil, if her face was as beautiful as it was.

Most of them weren't kind to Mo-furen.

After the Lan cultivators were seated, she just walked up to Mo-furen, who looked quite flustered at her sudden appearance. Xuemi could see her apparent distaste at- her, but making a scene in front of the Gusu Lan cultivators of all people wouldn't be the best course of action. Soon, a table was set up for her, and she sat down next to Mo-Laoye. Many of the Gusu Lan eyes followed her, a few narrowing at the sheer amount of spiritual energy thrumming in her veins and in the air around her.

She scanned the cores of the junior disciples. The leader had a strong golden core, but it seemed… familiar, somehow. She put away the thought and brought her attention back to the conversation at hand.

Mo-Furen put a smile on her face and started speaking. "This time, we'll need to properly thank you all for coming here. I've heard that the Gusu Lan cultivators are instructed to be upright, gentle, and distinguished. Seeing you today is proof that your reputation is well-deserved."

Her husband chuckled and affirmed it, but was silenced after Mo-furen leveled him with a stare.

She continued. "That being said, we do have some connections to cultivators, and we aren't an ordinary family."

Xuemi tensed. More eyes flitted towards her.

"There is a young master in our family who was once instructed by cultivators. If you all can stay here for a few more days, I hope that you can instruct him a little further-"

"Lying is forbidden."

Xuemi had the full attention of the Gusu Lan cultivators now, at the mention of their principles. The senior disciple herself had now given up on hiding her identity, and continued to list the rules broken by the Mo family in general.

"Do not steal. Do not bully the weak. Do not be greedy. Do not flatter. Be respectful and humble. Do not take advantage of your position to oppress others. Maintain your own discipline. Do not argue with your family. Be generous. Be ethical. Be just. Rules fifty-two, thirty-four, seventy-eight, ninety-five, one hundred and two, two hundred and fifty-six, four hundred and twelve, one thousand six hundred and twenty-three, one thousand nine hundred and eighty-eight, two thousand and seventy-three, two thousand and seventy-four, and two thousand and seventy-five. If Ziyuan would want to be educated by the Gusu Lan clan, he would have to respect their principles."

The Lan juniors were lucky that Hanguang-jun wasn't there to see their lapse in professionalism. Most of them were openly staring at her, mouths agape, at the flawless recitation of their rules. The others did not conceal their suspicion. That was to be expected- the disciplines of the Gusu Lan clan are their foundation, and aren't disclosed lightly.

All of them were looking at the forehead ribbon with a gold cloud emblem, pulsing light with the energy of a senior disciple.

Madam Mo became even more flustered, sweating profusely. There was now an awkward tension in the air that no one knew how to defuse.

They were saved by the resident psycho, stumbling into the center of the hall. Xuemi immediately noticed that something was wrong.

First, Mo Xuanyu was never able to break out of the shed he was locked in.

Second, Mo Xuanyu's energy was much more powerful than yesterday.

Third, 'Mo Xuanyu' (because at this point she was sure that this wasn't Mo Xuanyu) had four cuts on his arms, signs of a sacrificial ritual.

Wei Wuxian?

The next moments could only be described as chaotic.

Having forgotten about Xuemi, Madam Mo ordered him to be taken away, but Wei Wuxian- yes, definitely Wei Wuxian- flattened himself on the floor, refusing to go. Mo Ziyuan attempted to drag him out, and the leader of the juniors stood up, tugging gently at his other arm. This somehow prompted the demonic cultivator to stand up, but then he started to hug a pillar, and wouldn't let go. Mo Ziyuan then attempted a kick.

The same cultivator from earlier blocked the kick with a small barrier, but Wei Wuxian fell backwards onto a table anyway.

One of the Lans snickered throughout, though he was silenced by some looks from the leader, presumably his friend.

Is he even a Lan?

Xuemi didn't even have time to think about that before Wei Wuxian started to appeal to the crowd that had gathered during the discussion. More tongues wagged, spilling more venomous words at Mo-furen and Mo Ziyuan.

Then Wei Wuxian started doing some very fake sniffling as he asked for his things back, and mentioned Mo Ziyuan- kowtowing? as an apology. The last suggestion infuriated Ziyuan to the point where he took a (full) bottle of alcohol from a Lan's table, and threw it at him.

Wei Wuxian dodged it. Somehow. He also ran a circle around Mo Ziyuan, just for good measure.

When the bottle smashed onto the ground, breaking into tiny pieces, everyone sitting stood up abruptly.

Wei Wuxian took control of the situation once more. "Did you all see that? They don't only steal from me, they even beat me! Merciless!" He scolded. Mo Ziyuan stepped forward again and Wei Wuxian flinched back, but the leader stood up.

"Childe, if there's anything to say, please say it pleasantly."

Madam Mo approached them calmly. "Cultivator, this is my sister's son. He has a bit of a problem here…" and she pointed at her temple. "Everyone here knows it. He's gone mad since he was young, and often talks some nonsense. Please don't take his words seriously-"

"Who said he can't take my words seriously?" Wei Wuxian deadpanned. "I'll say it one last time: If any of you dare to touch my things again, I'll break one of his hands! Ah-!" He flinched away again as Mo Ziyuan lifted a hand again, but Mister Mo immediately said "Stop!", effectively making him freeze. Not like it mattered; the Lan cultivators already had a poor impression of the Mo family.

Then, the demonic cultivator found something that caught his eye.

Grinning, he picked up a jar of alcohol. "I'll be on my way." He waved it tauntingly in front of Mo Ziyuan before pushing his way out of the crowd.

The leader bowed diplomatically. "Mo-furen, important matters have priority. We would like to work in your west yard tonight. Please remember- don't come out of your rooms at night, and more importantly, don't get near that yard. In addition, if it's possible…" He eyed Xuemi. "I would like to speak with your niece."

Mo-furen forced a smile on her face, then motioned for him to get closer to the cultivator in question. She then left with her family and servants, giving the Lan cultivators privacy.

The loud Lan immediately drew his sword and pointed it at her. "Who are you?!"

"Jingyi!"

"Sizhui, she's wearing a forehead ribbon, but she's wearing bright red robes. She even knows our principles!"

The cultivator Xuemi had identified as Sizhui frowned, then turned to face her. "Mo-guniang, I apologize on behalf of Jingyi, but I do have to agree… your outfit can raise eyebrows."

Is it too late to turn back? These juniors need more convincing… she lamented.

Without warning, the Lady of White drew her sword and immediately began engaging in sword fighting with- what was his name? Jingyi?

She noticed that his swordsmanship involved a lot of quick outbursts of attacks, even though the Gusu Lan sword style features firm and strong swipes. When she went for his chest, he blocked the tip with the flat of his sword.

That was enough information.

Abruptly, the match ended by her disarming Jingyi easily and pointing her tip at his exposed neck. Jingyi stared at the blade in stunned silence. She lowered the blade and fought a smirk.

"Elder Lan Feng has definitely grown soft in your sword training."

Jingyi's eyes snapped up to her. "How did you-"

"Your block. It's his signature."

His eyes narrowed. Only the best swordsmen would be familiar with each of the elders' styles. "Who are you?" Sizhui asked, finally.

Xuemi's eyes now seemed very, very far away. "I'm supposed to be dead. But sixteen years ago… they knew me as the Lady of White."

Stunned silence followed. One of the disciples laughed nervously, even though Laughing without reason is prohibited. "That's not possible, is it…?"

Xuemi's lack of a reply was enough.

Sizhui studied her pensively. "You do look like the paintings in the Hanshi."

Without another word, she briskly walked past them. When she sensed that they weren't walking with her, she turned around. "You did say you wanted to work in the west yard."

"You're coming with us?" Jingyi blurted out before he could stop himself.

Xuemi turned around so they couldn't see her amused smile. "Of course. Last time I checked, if something goes wrong, you'll need a senior to back you up."

She got pretty far before the others finally snapped out of their shock and filed out after her.