Chapter 2
They were found at first light the next morning when the restaurant owner came to fetch ingredients for the start of the day. The bowl they had eaten from was empty and sitting on a shelf just to Lan Wangji's left. The man himself was sitting perfectly upright even while asleep, giving the impression that he had always been awake when he opened his eyes to greet the cook. And draped against his right side, head on his shoulder and long hair mingling with his own, was Wei Ying. Dead to the world and snuggling closer to hide from the cool air coming in through the open door.
Wei Ying rubbed his cheek against Lan Wangji's shoulder and mumbled, "Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan. So nice, Lan Zhan…"
Lan Wangji's ears burned even while his face remained impassive. He said, "I will pay for the food we ate."
The restaurant cook continued to stare in shock.
…
…
"Staying out all night," Lan Qiren scolded, his voice low but thunderous. "Do you know how many rules you have broken? Do you know the implications of a prince of Gusu spending the night with—"
"Now, now, Uncle," Lan Xichen interrupted, holding up his hand. "I'm certain that, if we let Wangji explain himself, there is a perfectly reasonable explanation. You know he never does anything by impulse."
Impulse. Oh how impulsive he had been yesterday. If his brother only knew.
Both older men turned their gazes on him then. Lan Xichen was sitting at the table in his personal quarters, as he had been looking over some documents when Lan Wangji arrived back home. His uncle was pacing like a caged tiger. It was only the three thousand rules of their family that kept him from shouting at Lan Wangji and letting the entire palace, and possibly the kingdom, know of Lan Wangji's indiscretion. Lan Wangji himself stood in the middle of the room, eyes on the far wall, still as a statue.
With the attention of his family, Lan Wangji forced himself to speak. "I was accidentally trapped in a storage room after hours. The owner found and released me a little over an hour ago."
His brother and uncle had vastly different reactions to this news. Lan Qiren's face turned red, edging into purple, and his lips pressed so thinly that they turned white.
"How on Earth could you have been accidentally locked in a storage room? What were you doing in a storage room to begin with?" He motioned to Lan Wangji's robes. "Is that why you appear as if you have been rolling in the streets?"
The robes were mildly dusty and wrinkled from both his time on the store room floor and the fight he was in, but really, a simple dusting was all they needed.
Lan Xichen, on the other hand, said nothing. His eyes widened for a moment and then a curious smile drifted onto his face. That reaction scared Lan Wangji more than his uncle's. At least he knew how to withstand his uncle's ire. A curious – and suspiciously pleased – Lan Xichen was another monster altogether.
Standing from his seat, Lan Xichen said, "I'm sure sleeping in a storeroom has taught Lan Wangji to never do such a thing again. It cannot have been comfortable."
The memory of Wei Ying's heat along his side, the weight of him, argued differently. "Hn."
"But if it soothes you better, Uncle, I can forbid him from leaving the palace until after the Spring Ball."
Lan Qiren thought the punishment too light, but was eventually convinced that, as this was Lan Wangji's first offense, it would do. Then Lan Xichen excused him and he left to attend to those matters of state that Lan Xichen had put under his purview. Lan Wangji waited for his brother to let him leave, a moment more, a moment more—
"So how did you end up locked in a storeroom?"
Inwardly, Lan Wangji winced. The question was innocently asked, but now that it was out there, he had no way of moving past it without telling his brother everything. Even if he was succinct, his brother would somehow simply know every detail Lan Wangji left out. It had been that way since they were children.
Lan Xichen moved to stand in front of him. "You said you were going to view the people. That's never ended with you trapped anywhere before. You're always so careful."
That was true. Lan Wangji was always overly careful when he wandered among the people. He rarely spoke to anyone. He kept his distance. He didn't get involved. So what had happened?
A loud, happy laugh echoed in Lan Wangji's mind and he lowered his eyes to his brother's chest. Yes. That was it. He had been drawn by warmth greater than the sun, like a moth to a candle, and had followed that spark for more than an hour. He had gazed upon a heart as gentle and beautiful as the first buds of spring. He had seen a smile that caused his heart to jolt, and touched hair as soft as rabbit fur, and been captured by a clear, open gaze.
Captivated.
"There was a man," Lan Wangji admitted, lifting his eyes. "He was defending someone who was being harassed. I helped him. We were chased by dogs and got trapped in the storeroom while avoiding them."
Whatever Lan Xichen saw on his face pleased him, if the smile he wore was any indication. No doubt he could see Lan Wangji's thoughts written as clear as ink on a page. It was embarrassing.
"And will you see this man again?" Lan Xichen asked. "You seem fond of him."
Lan Wangji shook his head. "I do not know his address." Though he would not be averse to wandering that area of town every day until he found Wei Ying again. Even now he wished to return to those streets, to that store room, to Wei Ying's side. "I hardly know him."
Lan Xichen put a hand on his arm. "What is his name?"
"Wei Wuxian."
A curious look overtook Lan Xichen's face as he thought. "Hm. I do not recognize the family name."
A nod. Lan Wangji had expected as much. The king was good at remembering everyone he had business with, but if Wei Ying's family had not visited the palace, then they did not know them. He turned to leave without waiting for his brother's leave.
"Brother?"
He paused at the door. "Wei Ying is adopted. Since I am forbidden to leave the palace, I will search the records room for information."
He left, the tiny sound of his brother's huff of amusement following in his tracks.
…
…
It was a week before Jin Guangshan let Wei Wuxian out of the main house again, before he was allowed to eat with the rest of the family.
"If you cannot respect the family who raised you, you cannot eat with this family," he said the first day.
There had also been a tirade about him being nearly an adult and how staying out all night was not acceptable behavior anymore, and he was lucky they had not kicked him out into the streets by now. It lost some of its sting, however, coming from Jin Guangshan, who frequently stayed out all night having affairs. There was still some sting in the threat of being disowned, however, and Wei Wuxian gave a bow and apologized until he was dismissed.
Jiang Cheng avoided him the whole week, but Jiang Yanli visited his room with a snack each night, so at least one person wasn't mad at him for missing the memorial. It was Jiang Yanli who asked "Where were you?" and actually listened to his answer. It was Jiang Yanli who got to hear all about Lan Zhan helping him defend Wen Ning, and feeding him dried fruit, and being a great listener.
His sister smiled warmly at him. "I'm glad you met someone so good, A-Xian. Will you visit him again?"
He pouted. "Shijie, no. He's a Lan. He lives at the palace. How would I even find him if I tried?" He nudged her shoulder with his forehead. "I am but a poor orphan peasant."
She laughed at his antics and petted his head like he was a child again. He smiled up at her. "Maybe once XianXian grows up into a big, strong man, he can go visit the palace and ask to meet his handsome suitor."
Wei Wuxian gasped and sat up straight. "Shijie! It's my birthday tomorrow!"
"And we will have a wonderful party to celebrate," she assured him. "With noodles and eggs and dumplings."
And hopefully some of that good fortune and happiness actually stuck around into his adult life, Wei Wuxian thought. He would need as much as he could get.
…
…
When Wei Wuxian stepped out of the Jin family house gate the following day, he was immediately attacked by his most ferocious enemy: Wen Ning.
"Y-you're okay?" he asked about a dozen times.
Wei Wuxian rolled his eyes. "As I've said. I'm fine. Those guys didn't leave a mark on me. I promise."
Wen Ning frowned and fumbled with his own fingers. "I tried to bring jiejie back to—to help you, but you were already gone. They…They had dogs."
Indeed they did. And the dogs had been terrifying, for sure, but they had landed him a night spent with Lan Zhan so the evening hadn't been a total waste.
"Wh-why are you b-blushing?"
The blush increased with Wei Wuxian's embarrassment and he waved his hands around quickly. "Nothing. Nothing! Who's blushing? Not me!" He laughed nervously. "Anyway, it's my birthday. We should go eat together. My treat!"
Wen Ning, always desperate to please, let the matter drop and happily followed Wei Wuxian to a restaurant near his and his sister's house to eat. Wen Qing met them part way and joined them for noodles. It wasn't until she threatened to rip every noodle on the table into tiny pieces if Wei Wuxian didn't knock it off that he realized he had been talking about Lan Zhan since the moment they sat down.
How was he so taken after one meeting? How was he still so enthralled after a week apart?
How was he ever going to see Lan Zhan again?
…
…
Two weeks later, the palace announced the official date for the Spring Ball. All the snow throughout the kingdom had melted and it was time to celebrate. The invitations were sent out and responses returned. The palace began to prepare their banquet hall – and indeed the entire main section of the estate – for a night of wonder and joy.
…
…
"A-Xian. A-Xian," Jiang Yanli called, her voice quiet but insistent, from where she sat in the gardens of the Jin house.
Wei Wuxian paused in the doorway and, instead of heading to the kitchens to ask for a midday snack, he turned and wandered over to his beloved older sister. She patted the bench beside her, indicating for him to sit, and took his hands in her own once he did.
"A-Xian. I have a wonderful gift for you."
"Shijie," Wei Wuxian gasped in mock horror, then smiled. "It's you who are getting married soon, so it is you who should be getting gifts from me, not the other way around."
Jiang Yanli shook her head. "My wedding is exactly why I am able to give this to you." She released one of his hands and reached into her draping sleeve to pull out—
An invitation to the Lan Spring Ball. The paper itself was simple and could have been a missive from anyone, but it was held together with the distinctive cloud-print ribbon of the royal family. Wei Wuxian had been there when the letter was delivered and had heard Jin Guangshan and Madam Jin loudly discussing the bad timing of such an event – right when they were too busy hosting a wedding to attend!
Jiang Yanli placed the invitation in Wei Wuxian's hands and smiled at him. "For my A-Xian."
Wei Wuxian stared at the invitation blankly for a few moments, then up at his sister. "I don't understand. Master Jin said they are not going to attend."
"Exactly," Jiang Yanli agreed. "That means this invitation can be used by someone else who needs to attend more than we do." She put her finger so close to Wei Wuxian's nose that he thought she would tap it but she didn't. "That someone is you, A-Xian."
He spluttered and jerked his hands back, though he kept hold of the invitation. "Shijie!"
She frowned at him. "Do not try and tell me you don't want to go, Wei Wuxian. You have been looking toward the palace more wistfully every day."
Damn. Wei Wuxian wished he could deny it, but it was true. The more time that passed, the more he wondered if Lan Zhan were really as wonderful as he had seemed that day. If they met again, would he still be so kind? Would he steal food for Wei Wuxian again? Would Wei Wuxian still feel so close to him, like he had found a kindred spirit? Would Lan Zhan still stand beside him and fight?
He wanted to know.
Jiang Yanli took his hands once more. "No one else will use this invitation, so take it. Take it and go find your Lan Zhan. I am marrying a man I love, and you should be allowed a chance at that same happiness." Her eyes twinkled merrily.
It was almost more than Wei Wuxian could handle. Go to the Spring Ball? With all the lords and ladies of Gusu? Court a Lan? And with his elder sister's blessing? Behind the Jin family's back? That only made it more fun.
Except—"Shijie, I have nothing to wear," he mourned dramatically, dropping his head to their clasped hands.
She giggled at him. "Do not worry. I've already thought of that too."
…
…
The Spring Ball was a time honored tradition held every year by the royal family. It was a celebration of the end of winter, of new beginnings, of the hope for better times to come. It was important not only to those notable families who were invited to attend, but also to the common folk who took the event as evidence that the kingdom was alright after the long winter, and planned many events in their own lives around it – like a good luck charm.
Since his parents had died, Lan Wangji had lost that hopeful, spiritually fulfilling ideal of the Spring Ball. It had become, and had remained since, merely a party for the rich. Elaborate outfits with equally elaborate masks. Excessive alcohol and food consumption. A chance for people from different families to mingle and do business, to gather blackmail material or begin to use what they already had in store.
There was nothing of spring or the coming of better times in the Ball. It was simply a party, like any other party, but on a larger scale. And Lan Wangji was bored of it.
He had already been spoken to by members of three of the five richest families, and a dozen of the lesser nobility. They didn't seem to care that he had little to say, happy to talk at him about whatever problems they felt they were having or compliment him on things his brother had done as king in the past year, attempting to win his favor so as to win his brother's. They offered him alcoholic beverages that he had to politely decline, over and over, and many of them were well on their way to intoxicated even mere minutes into the party.
Taxing, to say the least.
It wouldn't be so bad if he were allowed to participate in the 'masked' part of the ball. If he could be dressed as a crane or a rabbit, with a mask of feathers or fur to hide his features and the royal guan on his head, then fewer people would recognize him and come to bother him.
With hours left to go until he was allowed to gracefully disappear from the banquet hall, Lan Wangji stood by the refreshment table. Dinner had already passed and the tables had been cleared away, but light desserts and drinks were spread out on a long table by a side wall, with servants to pour and hand them to guests. They didn't speak to Lan Wangji except for a first greeting, and he was out of the way enough that fewer people noticed him.
Across the room, Lan Xichen gave him a nod and an apologetic smile. He knew how much Lan Wangji hated big parties.
A man dressed in black and red robes approached the table.
"Dajie, Dajie," the man greeted the woman behind the table, grasping the edge of the wood and pretending to be near fainting. "I need libations. Liquid strength. I am dying of a drought in my throat. Please save me."
His over dramatic pleading made all the servants within earshot giggle and grin. The voice, however, had grabbed Lan Wangji's attention and he looked the man over more thoroughly as the servant provided him with wine.
His robes were indeed black, with red designs that made the skirts and draping sleeves appear as the wings of a great butterfly. His mask resembled a black and red butterfly as well, and hid everything about his face from the nose up, except for his eyes. His hair was partly pulled up in a top knot tied with a flowing red ribbon, but most of his long black hair hung loose down his back. He was thin, that much was apparent even swathed in all that fabric, and moved with a confident but fluid grace.
The man tossed back his cup of wine at once, then let out a satisfied, "Ahh! That's so good!" He handed the cup back to the servant with effusive thanks that made her blush.
Was it possible? The way he spoke, the way he moved, the way he looked—
"Wei Ying."
The man stopped chatting up the staff mid-word and turned wide eyes in his direction. His mouth dropped open, seeing Lan Wangji standing not ten feet away. For a moment – for a lifetime, Wei Ying stared at him without moving. Then a smile bright enough to put the sun to shame lit his face.
"Lan Zhan!"
One of the servants dropped a plate, but Wei Ying didn't notice. He bounded over to Lan Wangji in excitement.
"Gosh, I was wondering who recognized me – and so quick too. How did you do it?" Wei Ying asked.
Lan Wangji was at a loss for words. How was it possible that Wei Ying was there? Wei was not the name of any family on the invite list. It was barely a name in the official records at all. Despite days spent scouring the records, Lan Wangji had been unable to find Wei Ying. Now, like an apparition, like a dream, he appeared before him.
"Lan Zhan?"
"Wei Ying is…very memorable," Lan Wangji managed, and was pleased at how even his voice came out.
Wei Ying's smile turned fond. "So are you." His eyes trailed over Lan Wangji's attire – traditional Lan robes of light blue and white, with silver clouds. "Why are you not in costume though? Isn't this a—"
His voice trailed off as his eyes reached the top of Lan Wangji's head and Lan Wangji did his best to remain impassive. The royal guan. His was not as grand as his brother's, of course. It was actually rather delicate, like someone managed to spin drops of rain into metal, and was Lan Wangji's favorite of his royal accessories. And yet it was this guan that gave away Lan Wangji's deception. It was this guan that kept most everyone at arm's length. It was this guan that had Wei Ying's expression shutting down like a dam blocking a river's flow.
"Lan Zhan," Wei Ying started, then stopped. Another false start. "You're wearing—" And again. "So you're—"
Lan Wangji hated big parties. His imprisonment in the palace ended tonight. If Wei Ying had not appeared at the Spring Ball, Lan Wangji could have approached him in the streets again, could have explained himself. Now Wei Ying would come to his own conclusions. Now he would leave and take his dazzling warmth with him.
But instead of bowing and making his escape, Wei Ying...smiled. The corners of his lips drifted up into a sly grin, and his eyes sparkled behind the mask. "Say…Lan Zhan." A small huff of laughter that had hope rising in Lan Wangji. "Does the king know you stole dried fruit from a shop owner?"
"I paid him back."
He said it instantaneously, without thinking. No, he did not break the rules of his family. No, he, the prince of Gusu, did not steal from his own people. It was instinctive. Lan Wangji felt like a prized fool afterward though, for taking Wei Ying's words so seriously so fast.
Wei Ying chuckled, like Lan Wangji had told a joke. "Ah, of course you did. Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan." He shook his head in amusement.
If Lan Wangji could get Wei Ying to say his name a few million more times, he would feel rather complete. The way his lips formed the words, the sound of those few syllables said in his voice – Lan Wangji had never found a human voice so lovely.
His ears felt hot, and he hoped Wei Ying did not notice. By the fondly amused expression on his face, however, he did.
With a conspiratorial look, Wei Ying leaned in close and whispered, "Hey, do you want to get out of here?"
…
…
Lan Zhan – Lan Wangji, Prince of Gusu – insisted he couldn't leave his own party, but agreed to at least leave the room of gossip and dancing and food. So they went to the gardens just outside.
The palace gardens were beautiful and expansive. Under the moonlight, and with the lanterns placed periodically along the paths, they looked magical. There were perfectly manicured trees, bushes – many of which would bloom with bright colored flowers in the next few weeks – and ponds with bridges and small pavilions over them.
The Jin family had gardens as well, but they were not nearly so large as these, and this was only one garden out of many at the palace. There were other party guests wandering around as well, but the gardens were spacious enough that Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji had privacy anyway.
"So," Wei Wuxian began once they had walked a fair distance from the banquet hall. "You're really the prince."
Lan Wangji nodded with a small, affirmative, "Hm."
Wei Wuxian nodded slowly, then reached up to remove his butterfly mask. Staring at the ink black and the vibrant red design, he gave a bittersweet smile. To think, his 'handsome suitor' was the prince. Lan Zhan had stood by him in a fight, saved him from dogs, temporarily stolen food for him when he was hungry and sad over missing his adoptive parent's memorial, and told him he was wonderful. It had certainly felt like being wooed, but…Lan Zhan was a prince and Wei Wuxian was an orphan twice over. Trouble followed him whenever he went.
Lifting his eyes to Lan Wangji, Wei Wuxian said, "I'm sorry you had to sleep on the ground because of me." Though he tried to make it light, his voice came out sounding just a tad forced.
Lan Wangji watched Wei Wuxian as they walked but said nothing, so Wei Wuxian did his best to appear unaffected.
Ah, shijie had had the best intentions in having this costume made for him, in enlisting Wen Qing and Wen Ning to get Wei Wuxian to the Ball, but it seemed his happy ending was destined to be a passing dream. That didn't mean he was sad to see Lan Wangji, not at all. Lan Wangji was still the most beautiful person he had ever seen, and there was something calming and yet uplifting about being around him, even when Lan Wangji didn't speak.
Wei Wuxian had been disappointed at the party. All the richest, most pompous people were there, and he hadn't been able to find a single hint of Lan Zhan. Simply having found him, and taking this walk with him, was enough for Wei Wuxian.
It would be enough for years to come.
"I'm not."
"Hm?" Wei Wuxian blinked and turned a confused gaze back on Lan Wangji. He wasn't—?
Lan Wangji briefly lowered his gaze to somewhere around Wei Wuxian's chest, then met his eyes once more. He stopped walking and Wei Wuxian stopped with him. "I'm not sorry. It was not an unpleasant night."
His gaze was so intense and yet sincere, and Wei Wuxian's heart lurched in his chest. Slowly, a real smile lifted Wei Wuxian's lips. "I feel the same."
It was so strange. Lan Wangji did not give a wide smile like Wei Wuxian. He didn't say a word. He didn't make a single move. Yet his eyes grew softer and Wei Wuxian knew he was happy, relieved. Perhaps that night had stuck with him as vividly as it had with Wei Wuxian. Perhaps it was okay to still call him Lan Zhan.
The moment was broken when Wei Wuxian's eyes caught sight of something over Lan Wangji's shoulder.
"Ah, Lan Zhan, look!" Wei Wuxian pointed at and then hurried over to a rock formation. He put his hands up by his head, with his fingers flopped forward until they resembled a rabbit's ears. "These rocks look like a bunny!"
Lan Zhan nodded. "This path," he motioned to the path beside the rocks that wound away around some bushes, "leads to the rabbit hutches."
"The king keeps rabbits?" Wei Wuxian had never heard of this before.
A short shake of the head and equally minute downward pull of the lips. "No. They are mine."
Without thinking, Wei Wuxian reached out to put his hands on Lan Zhan's shoulders. "Ohhh Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan! I can't handle this!" He dropped his head down as if in pain, his hair completely hiding his face. Pleasantly, Lan Zhan reached up to hold his arms in return, and Wei Wuxian was glad his smile was hidden. "You keep rabbits. Not dogs or cats or birds. Tiny, baby bunnies. Oh!"
After a moment of silence, "Wei Ying does not like rabbits?"
Wei Wuxian's head snapped up, his eyes almost manic. "We have to go see them. Now."
He grabbed Lan Zhan by the wrist and half dragged him down the path toward the rabbits. Even though the behavior was shameful – how rude could one be to haul a prince around like a pet – Lan Zhan did nothing to stop it. Wei Wuxian let out a relieved breath and beamed at nothing. That was proof that Lan Zhan liked him too, right? At least enough for friendship, if not more. Who else would get away with manhandling him like this?
A few steps later, Lan Zhan slowed Wei Wuxian down by pulling his arm back – but not out of Wei Wuxian's grip. Wei Wuxian smiled guiltily at him, but Lan Zhan didn't look upset. He looked…pleased. They continued the walk toward the rabbit hutches in companionable silence, and Wei Wuxian found he didn't mind the quiet.
…
…
The rabbit hutches were as much a thing of beauty as the rest of the gardens. They were multi-leveled, with individual cubbies for each rabbit. The area around the hutches was full of tiny rock formations, bushes, and other things for the rabbits to climb on or in. There was an area for them to dig around, and even little toys for them to toss, nibble, and play with. Just seeing their home told Wei Wuxian that these rabbits were more loved and cared for than a lot of people's dogs.
Lan Zhan led the way into the enclosed rabbit garden and the rabbits immediately stopped what they were doing to come greet him. He sat down among them in one fluid motion and began to pet them, making sure no rabbit was left out.
Wei Wuxian's heart was weak.
Once all of the rabbits had received a share of the love, Lan Zhan looked up at Wei Wuxian, a silent question. "Oh." Wei Wuxian hurried to sit with him, though he wasn't nearly as graceful and had to work to avoid sitting on any rabbits. He smiled once he was situated. "Your rabbits really love you, huh?"
Even as he spoke, several of the rabbits were trying to get into Lan Zhan's lap or were pressing in close to his legs. The expression on Lan Zhan's face when he looked down at them proved that he loved them as much as they loved him.
Maybe Lan Zhan had never intended to woo him, but he was doing an excellent job of it anyway.
Speaking of wooing…
Wei Wuxian reached into the many yards of fabric that made up his sleeves and pulled out a flute. Jiang Yanli had handed it to him along with the clothing, telling him to appeal to the Lan clan's love of music to help win the heart of 'your Lan Zhan.' The idea had seemed ludicrous and Wei Wuxian had intended to leave the flute in the carriage. However, Wen Qing had seen what he was about and had forced him to take it with eyes so sharp they might cut him.
Bringing the flute to his lips, Wei Wuxian began to play a calm and lilting melody. It was a lullaby he had heard as a child, probably from his own parents – though the memory was so hazy he couldn't be sure. The sound reminded him of the soft furred rabbits and the gentle eyes Lan Zhan gazed upon them with.
Lan Zhan looked over at him in surprise, but soon that gentle expression returned, so he must have liked the music. The prince picked up one of the rabbits and, slowly, placed it in Wei Wuxian's lap. His notes faltered briefly, but one look from Lan Zhan had him continuing. Another rabbit hopped up to join the one Lan Zhan had placed and curled up against Wei Wuxian's knee to chew on his sleeve.
When the song was over, Wei Wuxian placed his flute on the ground and gently pulled the dangling end of his sleeve from the rabbit's mouth. "Yah. If my shijie finds out you've been eating the costume she had made for me, she's going to cry, and then I'll have to roast and eat you in revenge. Do you want that, little rabbit? You want to be eaten?" He held the rabbit up to his face and pouted at it. "After all the care Lan Zhan took raising you, you want to be food?"
He let out a single laugh, amused at his own words, and looked to see if Lan Zhan also found him funny, only to have his brain stumble to a halt again. Lan Zhan was smiling at him, just like back in the store room. It was a small and yet incandescent smile. A smile that made Wei Wuxian feel like he could be content with all the world threw at him for the rest of his days, if only this smile greeted him each night.
"Lan Zhan."
His voice came out as a breath, a beat of his heart that escaped through his lips. Lan Zhan's expression held curiosity now, ready for whatever Wei Wuxian was going to say next, but the smile did not leave.
A bell chimed somewhere in the distance, resonant but not jarring. Lan Zhan turned his gaze toward it, a frown replacing his smile. "It is almost nine. Brother will make his speech soon. We have to go back."
They extracted themselves from the rabbits, Wei Wuxian grabbed his flute, and they began to walk back toward the banquet hall.
After the speech, the party would begin to wind down. People would begin to leave as the night grew deeper. And Wei Wuxian could only stay out so late before the Jin family took notice. He would need to leave soon, with no more excuses to bring himself to the palace to see Lan Zhan.
A hand grasped his, entwining fingers with his own. Letting out a short gasp, Wei Wuxian turned wide eyes on Lan Zhan. His face was as impassive as usual, but his ears burned red. The sight made Wei Wuxian grin and he gripped Lan Zhan's hand tighter.
Perhaps he would have an excuse after all.
…
…
King Xichen stood before the gathered masses, smiling benevolently. When he spotted Lan Wangji slipping in from the gardens, hand-in-hand with Wei Ying, his smile turned just a tad wicked. He would tease Lan Wangji about Wei Ying later. He would congratulate him and then he would tease him.
As the prince, Lan Wangji could not simply stand about in the crowd and watch the king speak. He had to stand at his brother's side. So, with one last squeeze of Wei Ying's hand, Lan Wangji let go. When he began to make his way toward the front of the room, Wei Ying followed, but stopped when he noticed Lan Wangji's destination.
People bowed to Lan Wangji as he passed and once he was standing on the raised platform at the front of the banquet hall. He bowed to Lan Xichen, who inclined his head in return before looking out at his costumed guests. Lan Wangji noticed Wei Ying slipping his own butterfly mask back into place as well.
"Thank you for joining my family and me for our annual Spring Ball," Lan Xichen began. "Another winter has ended. Another frost has melted. And Gusu remains strong and healthy." He held out his hands as if to present a gift. "We are blessed with many good fortunes. Trustworthy allies. Good friends. Hardworking citizens."
Gusu was indeed blessed with everything Lan Xichen said. In Lan Wangji's eyes, the hardworking citizens were their greatest blessing, and the rich gathered in the banquet hall were below them. But the taxes paid and gifts given by these same rich families provided much for the good of the common citizen, so Lan Wangji would not complain.
His eyes travelled the crowd, landing immediately on Wei Ying. Wei Ying beamed at him, all teeth, and gave a discreet wave. Remembering how they held hands made Lan Wangji's fist clench, missing the feeling of Wei Ying's fingers so much it was a physical ache.
"As Spring awakens the flowers across Gusu, we offer prayers for those farmers planting seeds for the next harvest, for the animals giving birth to healthy young."
Someone dressed like a buffalo elbowed Wei Ying for waving and whispered something Lan Wangji didn't catch. Wei Ying gave a sheepish smile and rubbed the back of his head before nodding in lieu of a bow. He gave that same sheepish smile to Lan Wangji before turning his attention to the crowd around him, taking in everyone's costumes with interest so obvious it must have been forced. His act was amusing and Lan Wangji felt himself fall a little bit more in love at the sight.
Love.
Wei Ying had sat in the rabbit enclosure. He had played such beautiful music and had teased the rabbits. The memory of it was nearly enough to make Lan Wangji smile again, his heart so full it might burst. He tore his gaze from Wei Ying to take stock of the rest of the room. One more second and all his self control would be worthless.
"It is the start of a new year. One I know will be better than the last, not least of all because of the people in this room."
There were a few other people dressed as butterflies throughout the room, though Wei Ying was the only male. Like Wei Ying, Lan Wangji was taking real notice of the guests for the first time. There were costumes of dogs, cranes, magpies, cats, dragons, elephants, pandas, and more. Some guests were dressed in their family's customary colors – such as his Lan family cousins in white, silver, and blue – with only animal masks to hide their exact identity. Some outfits were flashier, draped in jewels, with more complicated designs, as if to show off exactly how much more money their family had than the other guests.
There was a man dressed as a mastiff standing almost a dozen paces in front of Wei Ying. At first glance, Lan Wangji thought he was a lion, but the colors were wrong. A very large, tenacious breed of dog indeed. Strong, loyal, and very, very expensive. If a real mastiff were in the room, Wei Ying might actually faint in fear.
"So, I thank you for all that you do for Gusu."
The man pulled something from inside of his costume's fluffy confines. It glinted faintly in the light. He pulled his hand back as if to throw something—
"And for trusting in me as your king. I—"
"HEY!"
Lan Wangji's eyes snapped to Wei Ying at his shout, but only barely glimpsed his outstretched arm and empty hand for a half second before Lan Xichen also shouted – in pain. The king went down, clutching at his side. A knife, bloody from its contact with Lan Xichen, clattered to the floor behind them.
People shouted. Some were already running for an exit. Uncle Lan Qiren dropped to his knees beside Lan Xichen to check the wound. Lan Wangji felt frozen in place.
"He attacked the king."
"He threw a knife at the king!"
"He tried to kill the king!"
"Traitor!"
"Treason!"
"He'll die for this!"
More and more shouts rose up, angry and frightened.
"Um. Wait."
Wrenching his eyes from his bleeding – but not terribly injured – brother, Lan Wangji found Wei Wuxian in the crowd. He had his hands up as if to placate, and he was slowly backing out of the crowd. The crowd that was closing in on him, glaring at him, shouting about him. Shouting about Wei Ying.
"Capture him!" Lan Qiren ordered at the guards, even as he helped Lan Xichen apply pressure to the wound. "Don't let him escape!"
Lan Wangji opened his mouth to protest, but it was too late. Not only guards, but guests as well, rushed for Wei Ying. Wei Ying fled, flew as swiftly as if his sleeves really were wings. People grabbed at the trailing fabric, making him stumble, but he did not fall. No, he made it to the same side door to the gardens that he and Lan Wangji had entered through mere minutes ago.
Before anyone could follow him out, Lan Wangji blocked the door. He couldn't remember moving from the platform, or the feeling of the floor beneath his feet as he rushed over. His mind was racing. His heart was pounding.
They could not capture Wei Ying.
Don't let them out. Don't let them catch him.
Don't let them kill him.
"Prince Lan Wangji," a guard said. "Your uncle said—"
His words cut off at a glare from Lan Wangji. No one would dare touch him or force him to move. If they wanted to continue their pursuit, they would be forced to go the long way around. They would not get through him.
"Don't just stand there!"
At Lan Qiren's call, the guards gave up on getting out through the side door and made their ways to other exits. The guests remained, staring at Lan Wangji with confusion. They did not understand. None of them understood.
Lan Wangji stood blocking the door until his brother had been taken away by medical staff to have his wound treated. He stood there while his uncle apologized to the guests and saw them to the exit himself. Only when the banquet hall was empty did he leave his post.
He walked to where Wei Ying had stood in the crowd and faced the platform where Lan Xichen had been speaking. Casting his eyes about the floor, Lan Wangji spotted what he was looking for after only a few moments.
Wei Ying's flute was lying by a pillar and half hidden by the decorative curtain hanging there. Lan Wangji knelt to pick it up.
"Wei Ying."
As the guards had not returned, it was safe to assume that Wei Ying had escaped. It was a shallow comfort, but one Lan Wangji clung to as he made his way through the palace.
Lan Xichen was in his personal chambers. He was bare from the waist up, but the doctors were already done bandaging him up and had left. Lan Xichen looked relieved when Lan Wangji entered the room and bowed. His uncle Lan Qiren looked decidedly less so.
"How could you help him escape?" he asked in the most furious whisper Lan Wangji had ever heard. "You let the man who tried to murder your brother run free."
Lan Wangji met his eyes calmly. "I did no such thing."
Lan Qiren's face was changing colors. Lan Wangji crossed the room in a few strides and knelt by his brother's bedside. He held up the flute.
"This is what the man in the butterfly costume threw."
Lan Xichen took the flute from Lan Wangji's hands and examined it. "A flute?" A nod. "Then who threw the knife?"
He didn't ask if Lan Wangji was certain. He didn't question Lan Wangji's loyalty or his reasoning. Lan Wangji was eternally grateful.
"There was a man dressed like a mastiff," Lan Wangji said. "I saw him pull the knife from his robes." And cursed himself for noticing what it was too late, for not being able to do anything to stop the attack.
He described the costume as succinctly and yet accurately as possible. He also told them the man's hair had been up in a knot atop his head, held in place with a guan that resembled a dozen golden ropes. He related his thoughts on how the costume had been of high quality, with many layers and intricacies. It would have cost quite a lot to have such a costume made.
"We will need to check in on our guests, then," Lan Xichen said after a long silence. He didn't look up from his brother even as he said, "Uncle, arrange for a carriage and entourage. To ensure that everyone made it home safely tonight, that they are not suffering from the shock. To assure them that I am not grievously injured."
He held up the flute. One end was cracked, with traces of blood dotting the bamboo body.
"And to check for fresh cuts."
…
…
tbc
...
...
Notes:
According to my research, eating red-dyed hard boiled eggs and dumplings on your birthday are traditions signifying happiness, good luck, and joy. They also traditionally eat 'longevity noodles.' If you can eat the whole long noodle in one go, it symbolizes a long life. If the noodle breaks while you are eating it, it symbolizes a life cut short.
So basically Wen Qing is threatening to make him die young if he doesn't shut up about his boyfriend.