Chapter 85
Lan Xichen walked through Cloud Recesses as he looked over his home. He had finished his duties early and had wanted to take a break before starting on any new tasks.
It had been a few weeks since the discussion conference and since A-Xian and Wangji had gone looking to gain info on if Jin Guangshan was truly guilty or not. But of course, they could not simply head straight to Koi Tower, so the pair were hunting in nearby lands, under the guise of travelling together making wedding plans and night hunting, as they dropped off invitations to their personal guests. Stopping at Lotus Pier as well, and visiting smaller sects. With Koi Tower next on the list of places for them to visit.
He knew it would be hard for the two of them, but if anyone were able to uncover the truth, it would be the two of them.
He walked through his sect, smiling as he saw a group of children playing in one of the fields. The area of the grounds where the children trained was a bit laxer on the rules, allowing them to learn without the rules being so heavily enforced as they learned and understood the necessity of each and every rule they learned.
He heard the children giggling, and he couldn't help himself. He wandered over to them, knowing he had a few hours before he was needed at any meetings. And what better use of his time than checking on the future of his sect?
"Zongzhu," the teacher in charged bowed as soon as she spotted him, and all the children stopped what they were doing as they clumsily bowed in front of him. A few nearly teetered over, but he could tell they were doing his best, and his heart warmed at the sight.
"Zongzhu," he heard the children greet with small voices, trying their best to act with propriety.
"You may relax yourselves," he said kindly, and upon the curious look on the teacher's face, he added, "I simply wished to take a break from my own duties and wished to see how the children were doing. May I sit in on the lesson and learn as well?"
He gave the teacher a nod to let her know that he had no ulterior motives, and the teacher nodded as well in understanding, as she began to teach them once more.
"Does anyone know what the rule pertaining to moving around Cloud Recesses is?" she asked, as she looked amongst the group, calling upon a boy that seemed extremely enthusiastic about being picked.
"DO NOT RUN!" a boy said a bit eagerly, and with a bit too much volume, but the teacher did not scold him, despite Lan Xichen's own wince, expecting a sharp comment in his direction. It was something he had been met with when learning the rules himself, and had assumed it was just how Lan children were taught.
But perhaps his situation was different, especially given the corrupted elders and their hand in his education.
"Softer voices," she said with a smile and the boy nodded eagerly, "But that's correct Lan Jingyi."
The boy beamed at the praise and Lan Xichen couldn't help but warm at the sight. This was exactly how children should be taught. With kindness and compliments.
"Can anyone tell me why that is a rule?" she asked, as she looked around the room, seeing eager students ready to answer.
"Because it can be unsafe," a small girl said after the teacher called on her. She seemed rather pleased when the teacher gave her a nod of approval, and Lan Xichen saw her beam at that.
"Can you tell me what makes it unsafe?" the teacher followed up and the girl looked unsure. Lan Jingyi clearly knew as he jittered around, asking to be picked once more.
"Lan Jingyi?" The teacher asked him finally, after seeing none of the other children seemed to know the reasoning.
"So you don't get hurt," Lan Jingyi said, "I ran last week and hurt my knee and I had to go to the hospital ward. The healer told me not to run next time!"
"Yes, that is correct," the teacher said with a wince, "We do not want anyone to get injured, do we? It can be dangerous to both you and to other people."
The kids nodded eagerly, and Lan Xichen noticed Lan Jingyi seem to fidget around, unable to sit still.
"Lan Jingyi," the teacher said with a sigh, "You need to sit still."
"Sorry," Lan Jingyi said sheepishly, "I'll try my best."
"It has been a while since we started learning," the teacher admitted with acceptance of his reasoning, "Why don't we have a bit of free time for the next little bit until your parents come pick you up?"
The children cheered happily at that, eager to be done learning for the day, and Lan Xichen looked at them fondly.
When he and Wangji were that age, they studied in seclusion, as the Sect Elders did not want them to get influenced by their peers. It was only when they started formal lessons that they were allowed to interact with their peers. How much of that was because of the corrupted sect elders?
He swore then that it would be different. The future generation and heirs to the sect would be allowed more freedoms than he or his brother ever were. He would ensure it.
He refused to let any more children suffer. Not after having to see his brother withdraw into himself.
In fact, it was only after meeting Wei Wuxian that Wangji had even come out of his shell.
Seeing the children playing with so much joy and happiness, as they moved around, he couldn't help but wish Wangji had at least gotten that. Instead, his brother had grown up guarded and careful, worried about breaking the rules at any moment.
He may not have been able to do anything for his brother, but he was sect leader now. He would make sure his future children did not grow up that way.
"What brings you to visit, Zongzhu?" the teacher converse, as the children entertained themselves.
"I simply needed to stretch my legs," he admitted, "And I saw you teaching and wanted to see the children. I hope you do not mind. There is nothing more heartwarming than hearing the laughter of children."
"I agree," she said with a warm nod, "It is why I like teaching them. They're a good group of kids. A bit smaller than our typical group, but that's to be expected, giving many of them were born during the war."
"I see," he nodded, knowing exactly what she was saying. Less cultivators had children that year because they were all fighting. And the ones that were born, were born under more tense conditions.
"But they're making quite good progress," she said, "I barely have to discipline them. They are all eager to learn and correct their mistakes."
"You're generous with them," Lan Xichen said with a kind smile, "You let them have room to learn without punishing them right away. Allowing them to understand and grow."
"I try my best," she blushed, "I just want them to be happy. My husband and I are trying, and it has made me even fonder as of late."
"That is a good trait for teachers to have. I know the future generation of cultivators will be in good hands with you as their teacher," Lan Xichen said looking out at where the children played. Most of the parents had come by now to pick their kids up, leaving only Lan Jingyi behind.
"Teacher, can we see the bunnies before I have to go?" Lan Jingyi asked her, and the teacher sighed before nodding.
"Yes, I'll take you over before taking you back to the children's chambers," the teacher nodded, "Zongzhu, you are welcome to join us but if you are otherwise occupied, do not feel pressured."
"The children's chambers?" Lan Xichen frowned. That was only for children who did not have anywhere else to stay. Children whose parents were off night hunting. Children who needed temporary lodgings.
Or children who needed a permanent home.
Lan Jingyi ran off ahead, or at least walked swiftly without it quite being a run, as they headed off towards the back hills of Cloud Recesses.
"His mother passed away during childbirth," the teacher explained, "And his father, Lan Hao, perished during the war. He has been in the children's chambers for almost his entire life."
Lan Xichen frowned at that.
Lan Hao was his father's cousin. His father's cousin's son had been orphaned and Lan Xichen did not even know about it. He hadn't had any interaction with his father's family in years, besides his uncle, and he felt a pang of pain for not even known that his aunt and uncle had passed. And not only that, their young son, his cousin, had been orphaned.
Lan Xichen may have had parents that were alive for part of his life, his father longer than his mother, but he hadn't known them. Despite that, he had seen their faces and had some memories, even if not a lot, of them.
Lan Jingyi had none of that. His father had passed before he was born and his mother shortly after his birth. He had no memory of them, and would never see their faces except in portraits. It wasn't right.
And Lan Xichen did not even know of any of it until now. How absorbed had he been in his own life and sect matters, that he hadn't noticed his family had suffered such fates?
After the war, most of the orphans had been adopted by various families in the clan. It had been something Lan Xichen had personally seen to, inspired by Meng Yao's own initiatives. He had offered additional funding to families who took in the children of those who passed, enough to are for a few years of the children's lives. Had there still been kids who had not been adopted.
"Are there a lot of children who are still left in the children's home as permanent residents?" he asked, not talking about the ones there temporarily while their parents were away. Because if there were, it was a matter of importance to him. He would dedicate more resources to finding them homes. No child should have to grow up without parents. No as he had. As A-Jue had. Wangji, Sang-er, and A-Xian. Children deserved parents. And they deserved families.
"He's the one of the only ones left," the teacher said in response, "The older children have all been adopted. The younger ones never stay too long and are almost always adopted quickly. But well, Lan Jingyi is different. You've seen his…temperament. Most prospective parents who meet him have a bit of reservations about adopting a child with as big of a personality as he has."
"He's a good kid," Lan Xichen said with a frown as they approached the back hills. The bunnies his brother had been given had greatly multiplied and Lan Jingyi sat down carefully, petting one of them with respect and kindness, not being too rough with it.
The teacher simply shrugged, unable to provide a response, as Lan Xichen moved to sit beside Lan Jingyi.
"Would you like a bunny, Zongzhu?" Lan Jingyi asked him with a wide smile, as he handed Lan Xichen the bunny he was holding, "You have to be careful. They get scared."
"Have you spent a lot of time back here with the bunnies?" Lan Xichen asked Lan Jingyi as he watched the boy nod.
"Mm, they're very cute! They like it when they pet behind the ears. Like this!" Lan Jingyi said, as he grabbed another bunny for himself, and began to stroke it behind its ears.
"You know quite a bit about them," Lan Xichen said with a smile, "Do you know why there are bunnies back here?"
"Weren't they always here?" Lan Jingyi asked in confusion, because for his short life, there would've been.
"It is a recent thing," Lan Xichen smiled, "Pets are not allowed in Cloud Recesses. But a few years ago, during the guest lectures, Bixie Jun was studying here, and he and Hanguang Jun met our Esteemed Elder Lan Yi. She had these bunnies as her friends. And she gave them to Bixie Jun and Hanguang Jun, who knew pets were not allowed. But they wanted to keep her bunnies safe as she is our revered ancestor. So they let them live out here. Not as pets, but as friends. Allowed to leave freely and happily, not as pets but as occupants of Cloud Recesses alongside us."
"Wow," Lan Jingyi said breathlessly, "I want to be just like Hanguang Jun when I grow up."
"Not Bixie Jun?" Lan Xichen asked him curiously. Most of the children agreed Bixie Jun was one of the coolest cultivators, and having seen A-Xian, Lan Xichen knew why. He was confident but capable, and always delivered things with a flourish. He often heard younger cultivators mentioning his name, especially with pride since he was marrying into the Lan, even if not officially, just as Wangji was into the Nie.
"No," Lan Jingyi shook his head, "Hanguang Jun is so much cooler! He's so strong and brave! Have you seen him fight? He moves so quickly and doesn't even trip! When I tried to pretend I'm him, I fell, and almost hurt myself, but I want to be like him!"
"Do you know Hanguang Jun is my Didi?" Lan Xichen asked him with a smile, proud that his younger brother had admirers.
"Yes!" Lan Jingyi beamed, without even a moment's hesitation, as if it were common knowledge. And perhaps it was. After all, he was Zongzhu, and Wangji his brother.
"Do you know that he's your cousin?" Lan Xichen asked Lan Jingyi, and Lan Jingyi's eyes widened, clearly unaware of that fact.
"I'm related to Hanguang Jun?" Lan Jingyi asked, stunned, mouth agape.
"And myself," Lan Xichen confided in him, "Your A-Die was my Fuqin's cousin. That makes us cousins as well."
Even though the relationship was a bit more distant than just cousins, he did not mention it. Lan Jingyi was a child, and explaining it in details would require more effort than it was worth.
"Wow," Lan Jingyi said, looking utterly blown away by that fact, and the decision was sealed for him.
In fact, it had been sealed for him for quite some time.
How could it not be, when he himself had grown up all by himself? He had not known his parents. And his brother had been kept at a distance from him with the rules separating them. He had known what it meant to be alone.
And he never wanted anyone to suffer that same fate.
Especially given the fact that he owned his father's cousin so much. He hadn't even known that he had a cousin until this moment. And now that he did, how could he just walk away and let Lan Jingyi to the children's home, as one of the kids who was never adopted, no matter how hard he tried, simply because he was excited to become a Lan cultivator?
"Lan Jingyi," Lan Xichen started, "Do you like staying in the children's home?"
"I do not mind it," Lan Jingyi said, uncertainly, "The matrons there tell me if I'm better, one day I'll be adopted. I'm trying so hard to learn the rules so I can get a home one day."
Lan Xichen's heart broke at that.
"You know, because we're family, it would be quite acceptable for me to adopt you," Lan Xichen said, approaching the idea slowly with him. He wanted to make sure Lan Jingyi did not feel pressured in anyways, "But I would only do so if it was something you wanted. Just because I am Zongzhu does not mean I have a right to do whatever I wish. How do you feel about that idea?"
"You want to adopt me?" Lan Jingyi said, a bit surprised, "Even though I'm loud?"
"Yes," Lan Xichen said with a smile.
"Even though I do not know all the rules?" Lan Jingyi asked again, sounding unsure.
"You will learn them in time," Lan Xichen assured him, "You are learning and that is what matters."
"I would get to stay with you? And have a real family?" Lan Jingyi asked eagerly.
"Is that something you would like?" Lan Xichen asked him, "For me to adopt you? And be a father figure to you? Even though we are cousins and of the same familial generation?"
Perhaps that was far too loaded a question for a child, but it was important to him that Lan Jingyi understood what it meant.
Even if he did not wish to be Zongzhu of the Lan sect, he would be the first child officially of the next generation. Even if not sect heir directly, he would still be an heir to the sect. He would have more status and responsibilities.
Which may have been more of a discussion for a later time. For now, it was important that Lan Jingyi at least understood that Lan Xichen wanted to be his father.
He had always loved kids after all. And seeing Lan Jingyi all afternoon, how could he not wish to give the boy a home?
"Please?" Lan Jingyi asked with a tremble, looking more unsure than he had in the entire time Lan Xichen had known him.
Lan Xichen smiled at him, "Would you like to call me Baba then? Only if you want to. You may call me Zongzhu if you prefer, or Tang-ge if it is less formal for you."
Lan Jingyi shook his head quickly, "Please, Baba? Can you adopt me and let me call you Baba?"
Lan Xichen smiled. Lan Jingyi was accepting this way too easily, and perhaps it was his young age that gave him the desire to have a family. And perhaps Lan Xichen was being far too rash in this decision.
But he had a feeling he would not regret it.
Of course, next came the matter of actually telling the others.
The teacher herself did not mind, as how could she argue against her Zongzhu, especially when Lan Jingyi seemed so happy with the idea?
"Please repeat that," Lan Qiren said quietly, as he stood in his Uncle's chambers, telling him about the news. He had already spoken to his attendants to move Lan Jingyi's belongings into the Hanshi and have a room set up for him. He would write a letter to his brother later, but first he had to let his uncle know.
"Lan Jingyi is Lan Hao's son," Lan Xichen told him, "Your cousin's son. The same one who had been harassed and abused by the elders to isolate him from Fuqin and strip him of any power he may obtain to keep it for themselves. He died in the war and left his son behind. He is of the main line family's blood. By adopting him, it allows for there to be an heir for Zongzhu after I pass."
"Have you even considered all the ramifications?" Lan Qiren asked him, "You are unwed, and you've adopted a child."
"I am adopting my cousin who lost his parents due to their contributions to the sect," Lan Xichen countered, "I am being filial to my family. And I will be married, shortly. You yourself have been seeing to that."
"Have you even told Nie Zongzhu or Meng Yao of your plans?" Lan Qiren asked him, and Lan Xichen froze.
"I have not yet discussed it with them," Lan Xichen admitted, "But it does not matter to me. I may not have known Lan Jingyi for a long time, but he is a kind boy. I will not allow him to suffer and spend every day wishing for a home when I am more than capable and able to give him one myself."
Lan Qiren sighed, "I am not going to be able to change your mind, am I?"
"No," Lan Xichen admitted, "He's a good kid, Uncle. He cares so much about learning. He may be a little excitable, but he has a good heart. I think he could be good for Cloud Recesses."
"I will speak to the elders about succession," Lan Qiren said finally, "They will be glad to have an heir. Especially one of the main line, given your marriage will not produce any biological children."
Lan Xichen nodded. He knew it had been a tricky argument with the elders, as they had not opposed his marriage per say, but were still negotiating with Uncle on the line of succession and how to proceed. The Elders had wanted him to take a concubine, which he had vehemently refused, and he hoped this would be an additional benefit if it solved that problem.
"They will not be able to protest," Lan Xichen told him in agreement, "Especially given that it was their negligence that caused Jingyi's father to suffer and pass away."
"Mm," Lan Qiren agreed, "Now, may I meet your son? Properly?"
Lan Xichen beckoned for Lan Jingyi to come over, first asking him to allow him to tell his Uncle the news, not wanting Lan Jingyi to hear it if Uncle reacted badly, but thankfully, his Uncle had been far more than understanding of the matter.
"Baba?" Lan Jingyi said, a bit unsure, as he came closer.
"Jingyi, this is your Zu-fu," Lan Xichen said, and Lan Qiren looked a little stunned at that.
"Hi Zu-fu," Lan Jingyi said, before remembering something. He quickly bowed a little clumsily, "This one is Lan Jingyi."
"Zu-fu?" Lan Qiren asked, and Lan Xichen smiled.
"You may not have been our father, but you raise Wangji and I. It is only right you have the title." Lan Xichen told him, and Lan Qiren smiled warmly at him.
"It is very nice to meet you, Lan Jingyi," Lan Qiren said, bending to look at him, "I am looking forward to getting to know you better and teaching you when you are older."
"Can you teach me to be like Hanguang Jun?" Lan Jingyi asked, a little shyly, and Lan Xichen smiled at his new son.
"Jingyi admires his uncle," Lan Xichen explained to Lan Qiren who had looked to him in confusion, "Even more so than his new father, it seems."
"No!" Lan Jingyi said, before covering his mouth, remembering the rule about screaming, "Sorry, Baba! I like Baba too! But Hanguang Jun is really, really cool."
"It's okay," Lan Xichen smiled at him, "I also think your Shushu is extremely cool."
"Wangji is going to love him," Lan Qiren said wryly, "A child eager to learn? Especially from him? I think he will be jealous he did not adopt Lan Jingyi first."
"I'm sure he and A-Xian will adopt many of their own children in time," Lan Xichen smiled, "Jingyi, perhaps you may have some cousins very soon."
"I can have my own cousins?" Lan Jingyi said with a wide grin.
"You will have quite a big family," Lan Xichen smiled, knowing that the Nie-Lan clan had continued to grow in the recent years. And he was certain that it would only get larger from here.
"You should speak to Meng Yao and Nie Mingjue," Lan Qiren told him gently, "You still are to wed them, and they deserve to know. Especially if you are hoping they have any part in his life."
"I know," he sighed, "I will write to them after I return to the Jingshi and ask if they can visit. It is only right that I tell them face to face. And Jingyi is so young, I do not want to take him so far yet. Perhaps when he's a bit more settled in."
Lan Qiren nodded, "But for now, let us go settle you into the Jingshi. After all, it is now a family residence."
Lan Xichen smiled, "How about that Jingyi? Would you like to go see your new home?"
"Yes!" Lan Jingyi said in just below a screaming tone, and Lan Xichen smiled warmly at him, as the three of them made their way towards his and Jingyi's home.