Jiang Cheng P.O.V
Jiang Cheng has been studying their notes on the timeline and planning how to change things the most effective way ever since class ended for the day. Tomorrow is the day that Wei Ying punched Zixuan in the previous timeline, and he's sure Wei Ying will do it again if he doesn't do it first. The challenge of course is how to get Wei Ying to let him throw the punch instead, he knows Wei Ying will be thinking about his reputation as the Heir to Yunmeng Jiang and not the fact that Qiren will definitely expel him. He's still mulling over these thoughts when Wei Ying finally decides to show up. "Where the hell have you been?" Jiang Cheng asks, his tone decidedly softer than his word choice. "Your clarity session should have ended 3 hours ago."
"I gave Lan Zhan the rabbits today." Wei Ying reminds him, "It's not like you had anything planned, so I helped him set them up temporarily." As his brother says this Jiang Cheng can't help but notice Wei Ying's fat lip and the hickies on his neck... sure, helping with rabbits... that was definitely all they were doing.
"Please tell me you at least locked the door..." Jiang Cheng says exasperatedly, "Because nobody is going to believe that story looking at you." he notices how Wei Ying's face goes red and watches his brother grab a copper mirror off of the dresser... Wei Ying's face goes noticeably redder. "You are going to be in so much trouble tomorrow." he teases, Lan Qiren is going to freak out when he sees Wei Ying, never mind the likely matching bruises on Wangji... He doesn't want to be anywhere near that old goat when he puts two and two together.
"A-Cheng, what do I do?" Wei Ying whines, throwing himself haphazardly onto his bed and dramatically burying his face in a pillow "Lan Qiren is going to kill me! How can we change things and save everyone if Lan Qiren ends me tomorrow?" Wei Yings next words are muffled but Jiang Cheng is pretty sure he's just whining 'I'm dead, I'm dead, I'm soooo dead' into his pillow... he rolls his eyes and goes back to studying the timeline. Wei Ying is relatively quiet for the next five or so minutes, and Jiang Cheng wonders briefly if he's fallen asleep. "I'm skipping class tomorrow... I don't want to be murdered." Wei Ying announces rather loudly, he is so fast and loud when he finally speaks up that Jiang Cheng startles.
"Sorry, but no-can do." Jiang Cheng tells him, he rolls his eyes again.
"SO MEAN A-CHENG! DON'T YOU VALUE MY LIFE!?" Wei Ying wails, and good lord can he be any more dramatic? Jiang Cheng shakes his head.
"Tomorrow is the day that you punched Jin Zixuan, remember?" Jiang Cheng reminds him.
"Even More reason to skip, he ended up changing anyway..." Wei Ying argues, he's still laying on his stomach on the bed with his pillow in-front of him. He drops forward as he speaks so that his chin is resting on the pillow, he then hugs said pillow and buries his face in it flopping onto his side.
"BECAUSE YOU BROKE THE ENGAGEMENT!" Jiang Cheng Barks, "Do you REALLY think that DUMB ASS would ever realize Yanli's worth on his own?" He asks, genuinely wondering how long it would take that gold wearing dingbat, peacock, to realize how wonderful Yanli is. "Unless you want me to punch his lights out, you're coming." He tells his brother with a leveling glare.
The next morning starts out the way every morning does, bitter herbal food at the dining hall then practice and then classes. This morning though they will be learning about the History and founding of Gusu Lan sect. Of course, Jiang Cheng has lived through this before, so has Wei Ying, which has resulted in both of them trying not to fall asleep as Lan Qiren prattles on for what seems like eternity. The grouchy old goat had yet to notice the suspicious bruises on Wei Ying, much to his relief. Lan Qiren is talking about Lan An currently when Jiang Cheng hears a couple of the Jin sect disciples chattering quietly off to the side and decides to listen in.
"Did you hear? Qiren flipped out on his nephews last night!" one boy says, animatedly.
"That's what the yelling was!? I thought he got into it with Yunmeng Jiang's head disciple again..." another says, in surprise.
"Apparently the 2nd jade has a lover that Qiren doesn't approve of." the boy from before speaks again, "He apparently had love bites on his neck! Qiren saw them and totally freaked out." Jiang Cheng stays quiet but he's wondering if he should get them in trouble for the sake of preventing gossip... then again, if he gets them into trouble it will draw more attention to him and Wei Ying.
"Is that why the 2nd jade isn't in class today?" another boy asks, "Qiren didn't say anything or even excuse his absence." Now that it's been mentioned, Jiang Cheng realizes how weird it is that Lan Zhan isn't in class, last time he'd been asked to stop attending a couple of weeks before. However there was no such reason for his absence now.
"I didn't hear the actual argument, but I think I know who the lover is." Another boy speaks up, "Look at the head disciple from Yunmeng Jiang..." Jiang Cheng looks away from the group, but is already trying to figure out what to do about this situation before it gets any more out of hand. He can hear some of the boys snickering and an 'oh my god, the 2nd jade is a cut sleeve? No way!', it takes all of his self-control to not pound their faces in. He quickly reminds himself that in the past it would have been him making such unsavory remarks.
"A-Cheng..." Jiang Cheng looks up to see Wei Ying staring at him, "You're bleeding..." Wei Ying tells him quietly. He looks down and realizes he's dug his nails into his palms hard enough to draw blood, which is now dripping onto the ground... he didn't even realize he was doing it.
"I was listening to those pricks" Jiang Cheng nods his head towards the group from Jin sect. "They've figured it out already, apparently your Wangji got into trouble with Qiren last night and a couple of them overheard the fight." He tells Wei Ying, who blanches at this. "Qiren wouldn't hurt his nephew, I'm sure he is fine A-Ying." he attempts to reassure Wei Ying but the other still looks worried and scared. He never gets the chance to speak up about their gossiping because Lan Qiren is now talking about Lan An's going down the mountain to find his eventual partner. The topic around the room changes to 'cultivation partners' as before.
Someone asks "Zixuan-xiong, who do you think is the best girl?" and Jiang Cheng and Wei Ying both shift their gazes towards the peacock.
Another person speaks up, "You shouldn't ask him that. He's got a fiancée so his answer would definitely be her."
As expected Zixuan grimaces at the word 'Fiancée' however the initial ask-er doesn't notice, instead asking "Really? Which sect is she from? She must be talented!" looking excited and cheerful.
"Forget it." Zixuan says, raising an eyebrow.
"What do you mean 'forget it'?" Wei Ying says he's already stressed thinking about Lan Zhan's absence and he sounds more agitated this time Jiang Cheng notes, cursing mentally. Everyone in the room is staring at them now, wondering what could make the unflappable Wei Ying sound so irritated. This time though it's both of them Glaring at Zixuan.
"Is the phrase 'forget it' too difficult for you?" Zixuan mocked, high and mighty as ever.
"The phrase isn't hard to understand, it is, however, hard to understand how you could be unsatisfied with my Shijie." Wei Ying counters with a tone that could freeze hell...
"Why don't you ask me how on Earth I can be satisfied with her?" Zixuan challenged, Jiang Cheng was on his feet the moment the words came out, however Wei Ying was faster. Once again stepping in front of him and glaring daggers at Zixuan.
"You think you're pretty satisfying, don't you? What gives you the right to be so choosy?" Wei Ying sneers at him.
"If she's unsatisfied then tell her to get rid of this engagement! I don't care for your Shijie." Zixuan snaps, then, clearly not satisfied with one punch in the face he adds, "I'd tell you to ask her fuqin about it, seeing as you care so much. However, you'd clearly rather chase men." Zixuan hisses in disgust, clearly having heard the other disciples talking. He doesn't get the chance to say anything else because Jiang Cheng has hit him as hard as he possibly can... feeling that cocky jerks nose break is definitely satisfying... he's too angry to pay any heed to Wei Ying's shocked expression as he'd been shoved out of the way. Zixuan lays crumpled on the ground holding his nose for just a moment before he's back up and coming after him. Having been sect leader for 13 years in the previous time line however, Jiang Cheng is expecting this, and quickly and efficiently has him sprawled out over a desk and is standing over him before anyone can stop him.
"You just couldn't be happy with mocking MY SISTER." Jiang Cheng sneers at him. "You had to bring MY BROTHER into it as well." if not for the fact this is ultimately his nephew's father, Jiang Cheng would have already killed him... "At least A-Ying is happy with the 2nd jade, they aren't hurting anyone, unlike a certain ungrateful brat right in-front of me." He grinds out, "It's to be expected though, Your Fuqin is ungrateful scum too." Wei Ying is grabbing him and pulling him back and it's a good thing, because he'd like to fuck up Jin Zixuan's face for good.
"A-Cheng, calm down.." Wei Ying's voice has taken on that nervous pitch-y tenor, and it's ultimately what snaps him back to reality, his mom is going to kill him when she hears about this... Funnily enough he doesn't care.
Unsurprisingly he's made to kneel at the punishment hall, Zixuan joins him after a Lan healer gets done fixing his nose. He coldly ignores the Jin sect heir, instead focusing on another figure being made to kneel in the hall... "What the hell did Lan Zhan say to his Shufu?" he can't help wondering.
Jiang Fengmian and Jin Guangshan are summoned and chewed out by Lan Qiren over their son's behavior. The two still mutually agree to call off Jiang Yanli and Jin Zixuan's engagement after Fengmian mentions that he doesn't want to see either of them unhappy.
Wei Ying arrives to check on Jiang Cheng after the meeting between Fengmian and Guangshan. "I wasn't expecting you to jump in like that, You didn't have to defend me A-Cheng." Wei Ying's voice is still hesitant and Jiang Cheng can tell he's still shaken by the gossip earlier... he hates it.
"What did you expect me to do? Sit around and ignore that prick?" He asks Wei Ying, turning to look at him. "I wasn't the best brother before... but I'm not going to just ignore everything anymore." He promises. "I lost you last time because I turned a blind eye like a coward, that is Never going to happen again A-Ying." Wei Ying looks at him like he doesn't know what to say, completely at a loss.
After several moments Wei Ying apparently can't think of anything but also can't stand the silence and chimes "You've gotten better at fighting at least." in his normal playful tone.
"Shut up. How was I supposed to get better with you acting like a shield last time?" He reminds Wei Ying, his tone is lighter, once again he feels more relief than he's ever felt... it feels good to stop keeping everything inside.
"You don't have to actually fight to practice you know..." Wei Ying says trailing off towards the end. "Bobo said he would be coming to talk to you... once he finished dealing with sect leader Jin." Jiang Cheng flinches at this, great… dads definitely heard of his insulting Jin Guangshan...
"I'm NOT apologizing to that prick." Jiang Cheng groans, he notes how Wei Ying raises an eyebrow at that comment. He belatedly notices the sound of footsteps on the path to the punishment hall.
"I never said I was going to make you A-Cheng." Jiang Fengmian's voice comes from the path, he sounds tired and frustrated but at the same time proud. "Sect leader Jin and I have called off the engagement between our sects." he tells them, as if it's new news to them.
"Sorry Fuqin." Jiang Cheng apologizes bowing his head, he's surprised when a warm hand touches his head. "I caused problems for you." In spite of feeling he was right to attack Zixuan after what he said about Yanli and Wei Ying, he still feels bad for causing trouble for his father.
"There's no need to apologize A-Cheng." Fengmian says gently, "You were right to defend them, Lan Qiren explained what happened." Jiang Cheng looks up at his father and feels like he's being treated like a son for the first time instead of a disappointment. All this time it was his own fault for not standing up when he should have... it still hurts but he understands now, someone like his father wouldn't be happy with a son so easily swayed towards bitterness and jealousy. Fengmian looks at Wei Ying for a moment before speaking, "Is it true that you are with Qiren's nephew?" Fengmian asks Wei Ying.
"I..." Wei Ying starts to answer and then falls silent, unsure of how to say it apparently.
"They are!" Jiang Cheng says, looking at Wei Ying as if to say 'what are you afraid of?' "A-Ying tried to skip classes today because he didn't want Shifu to kill him." He tells his father, "You should have seen how he looked when he returned to our room last night." He sticks his tongue out at Wei Ying who immediately turns red as a beet.
"A-Cheng! That's not fair! You can't just..." whatever else Wei Ying was going to say apparently gets stuck in his throat, and he buries his red face in his hands.
Fengmian looks at Wei Ying sympathetically, "This relationship is consensual, correct? If it's not-" He begins looking at his nephew with concern.
"Lan Zhan wouldn't hurt me." Wei Ying says, talking over him, "He's really good to me, Jiang Bobo."
"I'm happy for you then, I'm sure Qiren will come around eventually." Fengmian says, sounding tired. "As for what happened today, Sect leader Jin has made it clear he doesn't want his son studying with the one who hit him." Now he understands his father's weary tone, he won't have to apologize to Zixuan and sect leader Jin. However he's being sent home, it's Wei Ying's choice as to whether he stays or leaves with them.
"If Jiang Cheng is leaving I will too" Wei Ying says, "It was my fault the fight started in the first place."
"Don't listen to him, staying here is better for him!" Jiang Cheng argues, giving him a look. REALLY Wei Ying? His brother and Lan Zhan are back together and his brother is wanting to leave with him?
"It's A-Ying's choice, A-Cheng." Fengmian says, "A-Ying, do you really want to go home? If you stay you can spend more time with 2nd Young Master Lan." His father reminds Wei Ying and he can see the torn look on Wei Ying's face.
"Just stay A-Ying, you're better at making friends and building connections anyway." Jiang Cheng tells his brother.
"If you're sure." Wei Ying mumbles, "I should be the one being punished, not you."
"I'm glad it's me, this way you won't have to deal with A-Niang for a while longer." Jiang Cheng responds grinning. "And I can work on her before you get home.." He thinks, besides, this will be Wei Ying's last chance to spend time with Lan Zhan for a while. His father winces at the reference to Madame Yu.
They leave a couple of hours later, Wei Ying promises he will write Jiang Cheng until the year ends, He begs his brother to leave out anything to do with his relationship. He doesn't want any more of Wei Ying's ridiculous propensity for oversharing, Wei Ying punches him in the arm for saying that. Jiang Cheng's stomach turns nervously as he steps onto the boat, soon he'll be back in Yunmeng–home, for the first time in what feels like years.
Wei Wuxian P.O.V – Cloud Recesses
To say Wei Wuxian is in shock about how the day's events played out is an understatement. After Jiang Cheng left he had gone searching for Lan Zhan only to discover the other was still being punished. Whatever his Er-gege had said, it had apparently had the effect of setting Lan Qiren off. Wei Wuxian had then gone looking for Nie Huaisang, desperately wanting to interact with someone who wasn't going to make nasty comments relating to his relationship. Unfortunately, Huaisang was busy studying, though he told Wei Wuxian he would be seeking him out the moment he finished. Wandering around aimlessly he had ended up running into Xichen. The older youth told him he was on the way to the jingshi to feed the rabbits, since Lan Zhan was unable to. "Xichen-ge, Do you mind if I come with you?" Wei Wuxian asked, call it silly–but after Zixuan's comments earlier he didn't really want to be alone.
"Is something wrong, A-Ying?" Xichen asks, he looks at Wei Wuxian in a gentle but concerned manner.
"It's just... A-Cheng has gone back to lotus pier and being alone feels weird." He tells Xichen, he still isn't entirely sure if Lan Zhan's older brother believes what Jiang Cheng told them, but if he doesn't, he's too nice to say as much.
"That's understandable, I heard what happened from Shufu." Xichen responds, "It's probably better if you stay close to one of us, rules here are strict but we can't ensure everyone will follow them."
"I'm not worried about being attacked or anything." Wei Wuxian says quickly, "if they tried, I'd beat the crap out of them. I just don't want to hear those kinds of words right now." he hopes he's convincing, because no, he isn't afraid of them... he just doesn't think he can take hearing them talk bad about Lan Zhan right now.
"I'm sorry that happened, people can be cruel to those they don't understand." Xichen says, to Wei Wuxian he appears to be thinking about something that happened in the past.
"If you don't mind me asking, what happened last night?" Wei Wuxian asks, following closely to Xichen as they follow the narrow stone steps to the jingshi.
"It's not an easy thing to explain, I'm afraid." Xichen tells him, "Shufu is a hard man to understand at times, and Wangji is very much like our Fuqin." he explains. "Shufu saw the marks you left on Wangji and he panicked, he said Wangji was making the same mistakes as fuqin. Wangji denied it saying you weren't and aren't a mistake, they started arguing." he pauses sighing heavily, "Shufu sees something in you that reminds him of our A-Niang, I need to tell you about her in order for you to understand it."
"Er-gege has told me about her in the previous timeline." Wei Wuxian offers, "He told me she'd been locked away because she killed a laoshi. And that your Fuqin married her to save her life" Xichen looks relieved at not having to tell him much.
"Our A-Niang was a kind woman, but she was also sickly, not in the typical sense." Xichen explains, "She had phases she would cycle through where she didn't know who she was, it got worse as she grew older." He pauses again, "Wangji only remembers her vaguely, I'm glad of that." Xichen is silent the rest of the way to the jingshi. When they arrive, he begins refreshing the hay and vegetables out of the basket he'd been carrying, it's several minutes before he speaks again. "A-Niang slowly began to have violent spells towards the end, she would attack people at random. She didn't know what she was doing and nearly killed servants on a couple of occasions." he finally says, pausing again. "Wangji looked forward to seeing her every month so much. The last time though, she fell into one of her spells and almost smothered him to death." His eyes are so filled with grief and he looks genuinely disturbed. "I don't believe you would fall to that extreme A-Ying."
"You don't have to say anymore, Xichen-ge." Wei Wuxian tells him he wants to hug him, but he feels like that wouldn't be proper.
At length Xichen shakes his head, "No, you should know." He says gathering himself. "I had gone to pick flowers for her, I came back to find my A-Niang smothering Wangji with a pillow." his eyes are distant, "A-Niang didn't die from illness, I killed her. I've never been able to tell him that." Xichen finishes. "Wangji waited for her even when it snowed, from dawn till dusk once a month for 3 years. I could never tell him what actually happened." Wei Wuxian thinks about the voices he hears in his head, none of them had ever pushed him to harm others... they had told him to kill himself, that he didn't deserve anyone's love... that he deserved it every time madame Yu yelled at him, but never had they told him to hurt someone else. "Shufu fears you will be the same as A-Niang, but he doesn't know you." Xichen says, "Wangji told him last night that he won't be like Fuqin, because he won't see you locked away like A-Niang was." Wei Wuxian looks at Xichen with compassion, and shock in equal measure.
"Lan Zhan said the same thing to Shufu in the other timeline too." Wei Wuxian says, "and he was punished for it there as well." He thinks about how much having to live with such a thing must hurt Xichen, who has only ever been kind and smiling... it's horrible to push the hand of someone, but especially so when they were a child at the time. "Wangji wouldn't be angry with you, if you told him the truth..." He says, "He'd probably need time to process it, but I think he would understand."
"Thank you" Xichen says, "But I'm not sure I will ever be ready to place that burdensome knowledge on him. He's my little brother, but I raised him- more so than even Shufu did, in truth... he's more like my son." Xichen seems to have taken comfort from his words. "Maybe that's why starting a family is of no interest to me." Xichen adds with a chuckle.
"You helped raise Sizhui in my timeline, while Lan Zhan was in seclusion." Wei Wuxian tells him, "Sizhui was one of the few people who could make you smile after everything that happened with Meng Yao... The elder's thought you would choose to make him the official heir." he can tell from the recognition on Xichen's face that Jiang Cheng must have mentioned Sizhui.
"Jiang Wanyin said that you and Wangji had an adopted son." Xichen said, "He told me he didn't know too much about him though, as they had only met a few times"
"Sizhui is very smart and gentle, he has a very strong sense of morals and is a hard worker." Wei Wuxian describes, "He's also very clever and a good mediator- his best friends were always getting into huge fights, they couldn't stand each other." Wei Wuxian recalls, laughing "he was the one who brought them together, and the one who broke up the fights."
"I will look forward to meeting him in the future." Xichen says, "After all, I doubt that you will forgo adopting him." Wei Wuxian knows that Xichen is correct about this, in truth he had adopted A-Yuan back in the burial mounds... the child had even called him mother a couple of times! And A-Yuan's parents had died before the war so there was no way he wouldn't be an orphan again at its end.
"I miss him already." Wei Wuxian admits, he does... he had been used to waking up and chattering his son's ear off while he ate breakfast at 1-2 in the afternoon, waking up to a lonely guest house didn't feel right.
"I'm sure you do." Xichen responds, "It seems you have the most adjusting to do, out of the two of you."
"I was happy enough in that future, even if I regretted a lot of things or wished I could change things to save loved ones." Wei Wuxian admits, sighing. "Not knowing what will happen scares me, we've already changed so much."
"Maybe they needed to change, the future ahead will be happier for everyone." Xichen hums, "have faith that you were given this chance for a reason." Wei Wuxian looks at Xichen for several seconds before mumbling that maybe he's right.
They finish caring for the rabbits in silence and Xichen offers to walk him back to the guest housing, it's getting later in the afternoon after all. Wei Wuxian allows him to, mostly not wanting to be alone. They arrive and Nie Huaisang is waiting for Wei Wuxian.
"Wei-xiong! I finally got done and then I couldn't find you!" Huaisang complains. "You owe me an explanation!"
"Young Master Wei was with me." Xichen tells Huaisang, "We were feeding Wangji's rabbits."
"Xichen-ge! I wasn't aware he had rabbits, aren't pets against Gusu's rules?" Huaisang asks, He raises an eyebrow at Wei Wuxian as if to say 'what did you do?'
"An exception was made because they are a gift from Young Master Wei." Xichen says, "We are not supposed to refuse gifts, and Wangji has always had a soft spot for rabbits."
"He did paint one on his lantern" Huaisang recalls, "he's not as good at painting as you though Wei-xiong" he adds with a snicker.
"No gossiping Young Master Nie" Xichen reminds gently, "I will see both of you again before long, but for now I shall take my leave." Xichen turns and walks back down the path, when he's out of sight, Huaisang turns to Wei Wuxian.
"Wei-xiong, is it true? Are you really with 2nd Young Master Lan?" Huaisang asks,holding his closed fan under his mouth signaling 'tell me more'.
"Ehn, Qiren really thinks I've corrupted his precious nephew right now." Wei Wuxian says laughing nervously. "Er-gege is being punished because he argued with Lan-laoshi when Qiren told him I was bad news."
"2nd Young Master Lan must really care about you Wei-xiong! I've never heard him fight with anyone before..." Huaisang's fan then flashes in front of his face, looking scandalized and he adds "We will have to teach you how to use makeup, people are going to spread all sorts of rumors if you walk around like that." Wei Wuxian startles at the reminder of the hickies all over his neck, feeling flustered.
"I think they already are..." Wei Wuxian whines, embarrassed "did you hear what those jerks were saying earlier?"
"I did... between you and me though, I wouldn't take anything they say seriously." Huaisang tells Wei Wuxian before adding with a raised eyebrow "They are awful in bed."
"What!?" Wei Wuxian asks, choking on air at this comment.
"A man has needs." Huaisang says, "Please keep that to yourself, my brother will murder me if he finds out." Wei Wuxian is suddenly grateful he didn't have that drive until he fell for Lan Zhan, he can only imagine how much trouble he'd end up in.
The day goes on, Huaisang teaches him the basics of applying makeup and concealing marks. They make plans to head into Caiyi on their next day off so that Huaisang can show him how to find good makeup products. They eventually head to the dining pavilion for dinner before parting ways for the evening. Wei Wuxian is grateful that at least at this point in time, Huaisang is still someone he can consider a friend. Lan Zhan rejoins classes the next day, although Lan Qiren has him seated on the opposite side of the room from Wei Wuxian. It doesn't matter, he waits for Lan Zhan after class ends. Another unfortunate Lan disciple is sent with them for Wei Wuxian's music therapy session. Apparently, Lan Qiren doesn't trust the two of them on their own, though, being that they are both male, Wei Wuxian doesn't get what he's so worried about. Wei Wuxian tells Huaisang about his annoying shadow whenever he visits the jingshi when they leave for Caiyi town.
"I just don't get it, I mean, it's not like either of us could get pregnant!" Wei Wuxian complains loudly once they are far enough from Gusu to not be heard.
"Wei-xiong, there are plenty of other reasons to not want you two doing such things." Huaisang says, his fan is covering his mouth, "Imagine if the Elders caught wind of your relationship, or your A-Yi" Wei Wuxian shudders at the thought of Madame Yu's reaction, maybe Huaisang has a point... still it's rather annoying.
"I still don't see why we have to have a chaperon. If they don't want us getting up to anything they could have us meet in the library or something." Wei Wuxian argues, "and if they are worried about a scandal, Qiren should give us permission to court properly." he huffs in frustration, as is he's been sneaking out in the evening just before the last bell and going to the jingshi, then sneaking back to his room early the next morning.
"Lan-Laoshi still doesn't want to give you a chance?" Huaisang asks, running to catch up.
"Nope. I can stand outside his residence all night and he still won't give me a chance in hell." Wei Wuxian groans, really... What does that old goat have against him? This can't be about who he is anymore. "I think giving him a grandnephew is my only shot." Wei Wuxian jokes, "too bad... I'm male." Huaisang rolls his eyes at this comment.
"You could always adopt an orphan I guess?" Huaisang jokes back. "What is it with you and children?"
"Er-gege and I plan on it." Wei Wuxian responds, "They are small and innocent and need protecting." he continues in response to Huaisang's other question... children are a lot like the rabbit's he gave his Lan Zhan.
"They are smelly and noisy and take too much time if you ask me." Huaisang complains, wrinkling his nose in mild disgust. "No thank you."
"That's how I would describe your Myna birds." Wei Wuxian teases, "I don't know how you can stand hearing them repeat 'hello' 800 times- Ouch!" Huaisang playfully hits him with his closed fan.
"Better than finding ink scribbled all over your walls." Huaisang argues back, "or waking up at all hours because they had a nightmare or messed themselves, yuck..."
They end up having a great time in Caiyi, though Huaisang ends up drinking too much and puking in the bushes on their way back to Gusu.
The next couple of weeks fly by, and then, just like Jiang Cheng had told him about before, he is selected for a night hunt. Lan Qiren must really hate him, Wei Wuxian decides after being teamed up with the fighting challenged Huaisang and arrogant Jin Zixuan. He's shaken though when Jin Zixuan apologizes to him.
"I'm sorry for what I said before, it was really uncalled for and rude."Zixuan admits bowing his head, his tone is genuine "You were just defending your Shijie, I was being very immature and nasty, Jiang Wanyin was right to hit me."