Chapter 96

The news of Wen Yuan and Wen Lian, or now known as Nie Yuan and Nie Lian's mother passing came not a week after returning to Qinghe after the discussion conference in Lotus Pier. She'd passed in the night, after being sick for most of Nie Yuan's life, losing the battle with her illness.

Wei Wuxian did not even find out about it until the following morning, when Popo had asked to speak to him about it.

He felt his heart break as he and Lan Zhan entered the room Popo had summoned them to, knowing all too well what it felt like to lose a parent. He may not have remembered his own all that well, but he'd lived with that grief for every day of his life. He'd lived with the knowledge that he would never know his parents. That they would not see the life he led or meet Lan Zhan. They would not know the family who adopted him.

And now A-Yuan and A-Lian would feel that same grief.

He was not surprised by their mother's passing. She'd been ill since A-Yuan's birth, and Wen Qing had once confided in him that she was surprised their mother held on for as long as she had, especially given the close calls she'd had a few times. So finding out that she'd passed had not been as shocking as it may have been, but it did not take away from the grief they felt by her loss.

He knew it in his heart, that he wanted to make sure that A-Yuan and A-Lian were cared for. That they did not feel alone. Because they still had Wen Qing. They had Wen Ning and Nie Zonghui. They had so many others in their life. And they would have Wei Wuxian and Lan Zhan. They would grow up being loved and cared for, he would make sure of it.

"Can you watch them?" Popo asked, as he and Lan Zhan entered the ward setup for the Wens to be housed in, together. A-Yuan practically clung to Lan Zhan and A-Lian's face was blotchy from tears, "We need to plan her last rites, and the two of them are understandably devastated. A-Yuan has been asking for you. I'm sorry, I'd keep watching them, but I don't want them to be more upset than they already are."

"Xian-gege," A-Yuan sobbed, as he hugged Lan Zhan tighter, "Xian-gege, want Mama."

"A-Yuan," A-Lian said tearfully, "Mama's gone. It's just you and me."

"No," Wei Wuxian said, crouching down to her level, not wanting her to think that for even a moment, "It's not. You have so much family, A-Lian. Your Mama and Baba may be gone, but that does not mean you are alone. Lan Zhan and I both lost our parents too. But we had our siblings. We had family who loved us still. And you do as well. You are not alone. I promise. You will always have people in your corner. People who love you and support you. People who care about you. I care about you both so much. You are not alone, do you hear me? I promise. You will not go through any of this on your own."

"Mm," Lan Zhan agreed with him, rubbing A-Yuan's back gently, "Not alone. We are here. Will ensure two of you are loved and cared for. Promise."

Wei Wuxian gave his husband a warm look, "Why don't the four of us go to the kitchens? We can get a nice breakfast. And then maybe we can go watch the juniors train? How does that sound?"

"Mm," A-Yuan said simply, as he buried his face into Lan Zhan's neck.

"Thank you, Xian-gege," A-Lian said softly, and he smiled at her gently, as he took her hand in his own, the four of them heading towards the kitchen together.

"A-Ying," Nie Fen greeted him the moment the four of them entered the kitchen, "Hanguang Jun."

"Please call me Wangji," Lan Zhan asked her, knowing all too well how much the woman had cared for Wei Wuxian as a child. Ever since Da-ge had taken him to the kitchen to introduce him to the head cook, she'd always make sure to set aside treats for him and ensured that he was never hungry.

"Wangji," she said, sounding pleased, "Please, come sit. I heard about their mother. Can I make you both something to cheer you up? What do you like to eat?"

A-Yuan looked at Wei Wuxian unsure, as Lan Zhan settled him on his lap while they sat at the counter.

"Go ahead, A-Yuan," Wei Wuxian encouraged him, "You too, A-Lian. Nie Fen makes very nice food and has taken care of me since I was young. Is there anything you'd like to eat?"

"Buns?" A-Yuan asked, unsure, and Wei Wuxian could only smile at that.

"She makes the best buns," Wei Wuxian told him, as he propped A-Lian up between him and LZ.

"Luckily for you, I made buns this morning already," Nie Fen laughed, "I always have some on hand because of your Xian-gege. Do you know how many he eats each week?"

Wei Wuxian simply pouted at her as Lan Zhan looked amused.

"And you, A-Lian?" Nie Fen asked, as she placed a few meat buns in front of A-Yuan.

"Can I just have some congee?" she asked quietly, and Wei Wuxian rubbed her back gently, as Nie Fen nodded softly and moved to prepare some.

He knew both the children were still sad, but Wei Wuxian would ensure that they were cared for. They would have family still, even if their family was unconventional. And they would never, ever, be alone.

The funeral for her cousin was held the same day she passed, and Wen Qing couldn't help but feel pain in her chest at the idea of losing more family. The Danfan Wen had lost so much after the war. They'd lost their home, their name, their history.

But they'd survived. Even if most of them had to change their name to do so, they survived. And she was all too aware that it was because of Wei Wuxian and his family that they did so. The name of their ancestors was forsaken to keep their descendants alive.

Because as far as the rest of the world knew, the Wen remaining were those not of the Danfan Wen clan, split up amongst three of the remaining four great sects, with those who fought under great scrutiny and those who were civilians awarded a bit more liberties. But the Danfan Wen had defected from Wen Ruohan's reach. They were protected by the Nie. And Wen Qing and her brother were the only two left who shared the name belonging to the Danfan Wen.

It had been hard, but she would choose life over death any day. And if they'd stayed under Wen Ruohan's thumb, who knows how many of the Danfan Wen would remain? If she didn't trust Wei Wuxian, who knows what would have happened.

Her cousin did not die because of the war. She'd always been a bit sickly, and she'd lost her fight, after trying for years. But it did not make it hurt any less.

She was surprised still, that Chifeng Zun and the newly appointed Luoyeqiu Jun had attended the funeral rites, but Nie Mingjue had always been a fair sect leader, and had always cared for those in his sect.

Wen Yuan and Wen Lian were understandably devastated, clinging onto Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji's side through it all, and she felt her heart break for them the most.

"Who will look after them now?" she mused to Popo. Because her family wasn't prepared for that matter. Her aunts and uncles were older in age. And her Grandmother who was their direct great-grandmother as well was not able enough to raise two young children. She had never wanted children herself, and while she would do it out of necessity, she did not think she would be the right choice to do so. And Wen Ning was still so young and learning who he was.

"I don't know," Popo said, looking upset by the prospect, "They're so young. They need a proper home, with parents to love and raise them. They've barely had that, and were always passed back and forth between us all, but they need stability. They need someone who can love them properly, and be there for them. I want to, Qing-er. But I get so tired. I don't want them to be alone."

She looked over and saw A-Yuan cuddling into Wei Wuxian's body, as her friend held the boy close to him, trying to console the sobbing toddler, all the while A-Lian had her arms wrapped around Lan Wangji's torso.

"They would make good parents," Popo mused, and Wen Qing looked at her in shock.

"Popo!" she said, "They're Hanguang Jun and Bixie Jun. We cannot exactly ask them to adopt them! They're both heirs to their sects. Well, Hanguang Jun is now second in line, but still. Until Chifeng Zun has a child, if the two of them adopt, it would put A-Yuan and A-Lian in the line of succession. Do you know how that would even sound if I were to ask Wei Wuxian? They would think we are trying to take over their sect."

"They would not think that," Popo waved her hand, "Qing-er, look at them. They look like a family already. It is clear that A-Xian loves them. And Hanguang Jun keeps smiling whenever he sees A-Xian interact with A-Yuan and A-Lian. They would make good parents. We can make it clear to Nie Zongzhu that we do not expect A-Yuan or A-Lian to be in the line of succession. We can promise and sign a contract. But A-Lian and A-Yuan would be in good hands with them. There is no harm in asking."

"Popo," she sighed, but knew her grandmother was right. Because there was no harm in asking. Besides, maybe Luo Qingyang wouldn't be opposed to kids, even if they'd never talked about it. She would raise A-Lian and A-Yuan if there was no one else.

She would talk to Nie Zongzhu after this, because at the very least she owed it to her niece and nephew to see if she could find them parents who would love and raise them properly. She owed it to them to at least try.

She watched as A-Yuan played with Hanguang Jun's ribbon, the man making no motion to stop him, and she wondered if perhaps the two of them wanted the kids to be their own as well, and given the soft smile on Hanguang Jun's face, she knew she already had her answer.

So she resolved herself to talk to Chifeng Zun after her cousin's funeral, and to ask him if he would be amenable to her proposal.

Nie Mingjue sat in the courtyard after the funeral. Nie Zonghui had asked him to attend, as the man had been consoling Wen Ning the entire time, and Nie Mingjue knew that he would have regardless of if he were asked or not. The Wen were now members of the Nie sect, and every member of the Nie sect mattered, regardless of their role. Because without any of them, the Nie sect wouldn't function. They were his family, in every way that mattered or counted.

"Nie Zongzhu," Wen Qing approached him, looking a little unsure, and Nie Mingjue cocked his head up at her. He knew she and Wen Ning were settling in rather well in the healer's ward, and quite a few of the members of his sect had commented as such, with gratitude for her presence. Especially Nie Qiqiang, who appreciated the extra hands, always complaining before how he had too much work with how reckless the Nie could often be.

"Wen guniang," he greeted her, as she bowed before him, "You do not need to be so formal with me. I believe we are better acquaintances than that."

"I am showing my respects," she said simply, "Especially given the nature of my request."

"Is there something you wish to request?" he said simply, "Perhaps a formalized betrothal of my cousin to your brother?"

"No," she said quickly, stunning him, before proceeding, "Not yet for that, anyways. A-Ning is still young, and while I have no doubt that he would be happy with your cousin, that is not why I approached you."

"Then?" he asked, gesturing for her to sit down next to him.

"A-Lian and A-Yuan," she said before taking a deep breath, "Nie Zongzhu, before I ask this, please hear me out fully with my reasoning. I do not wish to overstep by any means, and I am willing to accept your answer regardless of what it is. But I must ask, as their aunt and their senior."

"Okay?" Nie Mingjue asked, despite having a decent idea of what she was going to ask.

"Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji have been more of parents to them both than my cousin ever was. She was so sick after giving birth to A-Yuan and she barely was able to even hold him," Wen Qing started, "And now she's gone, and my cousins have been orphaned. They're so young, Zongzhu. They deserve parents who will love them and raise them, whole heartedly. And I think your brother and his husband love them very much. I think they would be good parents towards my niece and nephew. I would like to ask them if they wish to adopt A-Lian and A-Yuan."

She paused, "But I am aware of the complex nature of that ask. Wei Wuxian is still your heir. Especially if Nie Huaisang is marrying out. And you currently do not have any children of your own. Which would put Wen Yuan and Wen Lian as your heirs, indirectly. I can see how utterly inappropriate that is to ask, especially given your history with the Wens. I wish to assure you that I merely want the two of them to have loving parents. I am willing for them to never be added to the family registry and have it made clear that they are not in the line of succession. I do not want anything more than what you have already given us. You saved us all from Wen Ruohan and from death. And yet I am aware that I am selfishly asking for more."

"Wen guniang," Nie Mingjue started, "Wen Qing. We are going to be family. Not today perhaps, but whenever your brother marries my cousin. Besides. Look over there."

He gestured to where Wei Wuxian was chasing Wen Yuan around, while Lan Wangji read to Wen Lian, "They are already a family. They have been for some time. They sat with Wangji and A-Ying during their wedding. They've spent the better part of their time in Qinghe with the two of them. I'm sure Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji want nothing more than to adopt your niece and nephew, but are afraid to ask. But if my blessing is what you want, then you have it."

Nie Mingjue paused before looking over at Wei Ying, "Besides, Wei Wuxian is not my brother biologically, but the Nie would be in capable hands if he had to lead them. He's my brother in every way that counts. I don't know if I'll end up with other children other than Lan Jingyi, but I certainly cannot claim my husband's heir as my own. The Nie will need an heir, and I am not opposed to A-Yuan or A-Lian taking that mantle if they want it. They already have the Nie surname as their own. They are Wen, but they are also Nie. And they deserve to have a family who loves them."

He looked over at Wen Qing who looked relieved at that.

"Thank you," Wen Qing said, looking touched at that.

"Wei Wuxian," Nie Mingjue called out loudly, "Lan Wangji, please come over here."

And Wen Qing looked rattled at that. Wei Wuxian looked a little confused, but his brother did not hesitate for even a moment before coming over, bringing the two children with him.

"Da-ge?" Wei Wuxian asked him curiously, as he continued holding onto A-Yuan.

"Wen Qing has something she wants to ask you both," Nie Mingjue said, as Wen Qing a look.

"Wen Qing?" Wei Wuxian said, confused, looking over at the woman, "What is it?"

"My family has something to ask you and Lan Wangji," she said, finally, as she looked down at the small children beside them. A-Lian had finally stopped crying a few hours before, and A-Yuan had clung onto either A-Ying or Wangji since the funeral, and Nie Mingjue knew neither children would be opposed to the adoption.

"Oh?" Wei Wuxian asked curiously, "What can we do for you, Wen Qing?"

"You love them," Wen Qing said simply, looking between both Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji, and then down at the children.

"I do," Wei Wuxian said, a bit confused, "They're adorable. What's there not to love?"

Wen Qing looked at Lan Wangji, tilting her head to see if he agreed with the statement.

"Mm," Lan Wangji agreed, "Care for them. Want them to be happy."

"They deserve people in their lives who will care for them," Wen Qing said softly, "Parents who will love them. Even though their birth parents have passed, they still deserve to be raised with love and compassion. A-Ning is too young to be a parent. I do not have the temperament for it. My aunts and uncles are old, and Popo would not have the energy. My other cousins have their hands full with their own children."

"So what will happen to them?" Wei Wuxian asked, looking pained as he pulled A-Yuan in closer to himself at that, as if he feared he would be separated from the child.

"We want you to adopt them," Popo said finally as she came over, giving up with her granddaughter's attempt to get to the point as simply as possible.

"What?" Wei Wuxian blinked, before Lan Wangji nodded.

"Mm," Lan Zhan agreed simply.

"What?" Wei Wuxian asked again, a bit dazed, "Popo, I…I don't want to step on anyone's toes. I love them, of course I love them, but I don't want to replace their family, especially when they have relatives that are still alive."

"A-Lian," Wen Qing ignored him, bending down to look at her niece, "Do you like Xian-gege and Wangji-gege?"

"Mm," the young girl said with a nod, "They're nice. They take care of me and play with me. And they take good care of A-Yuan."

"Would you like them to adopt you?" Wen Qing asked gently, "Not to replace your Mama or Baba. But to be another pair of Babas for you. To live with them and have them care for you, forever."

"I can have more parents?" A-Lian whispered in a scared voice, as if the idea was something she was too afraid to imagine.

"You can," Wen Qing told her with a smile, "Do you want to be adopted?"

"Please?" A-Lian said, lip wobbling, "I don't want us to be alone. Xian-gege and Wangji-gege are really great. They would be nice parents. Please?"

"How about you, A-Yuan? Do you want Xian-gege and Pretty-gege to be your new Babas?"

"Yes!" A-Yuan cheered with a clap, as Wei Wuxian looked moved at that.

"You may call me Baba," Wangji swept in as he pulled A-Lian for a hug, "If you would like."

Wei Wuxian unfroze then, clearly broken out of his spell as he held A-Yuan tighter, "Lan Zhan! We never agreed that you got to be Baba! We said we would have a conversation about it! What if I want them to call me Baba?"

A-Lian giggled at that, as Wei Wuxian winked at her.

"You may be their Die-die," Lan Wangji sniffed, looking unbothered by Nie Mingjue's didi's pouting.

"Fine," Wei Wuxian said with an exaggerated tone, "A-Yuan, A-Lian, can I be your Diedie? I would love nothing more than to be able to take care of you and raise you. I too do not wish to replace your Mama and Baba, but they would want you to be happy and loved. Will you allow us to raise you in their steed?"

"Yes!" A-Yuan said loudly, and A-Lian nodded shyly.

"I'll personally add them to the family registry," Nie Mingjue smiled, more than pleased by the turn of events. He'd gained a niece and nephew in a single afternoon. He couldn't wait to tell A-Yao and A-Huan that their family had once again grown. And perhaps they could arrange a formal play date now for Jingyi now that he now officially had some cousins. It would be good for A-Yi to make more friends his own age and to have more relatives.

"Da-ge," Wei Wuxian looked up at him, a bit stunned.

"They will be my heirs after you, A-Ying," Nie Mingjue informed him, "Now that Sang-er has decided to marry out, the two of them are the first Nie in the next generation. If either of them want to be cultivators, the position is theirs. And if not, I'm sure you and Wangji will be adopting far more children in the future."

Lan Wangji only nodded contently at that, and Wei Wuxian looked like he was once again going to cry.

"This is a good thing," Nie Mingjue reminded him.

"I know," Wei Wuxian said, with watery eyes, "I just…I've wanted children with Lan Zhan so badly, and I never dreamed that I'd be allowed to adopt A-Yuan and A-Lian. The idea of growing our family makes me so happy. Lan Zhan, you and I are parents!"

"Mm," Lan Wangji nodded, looking over at his husband warmly. Nie Mingjue would have to write to A-Huan about it. He was an uncle now, they both were, and he knew Xichen would be positively delighted by the turn of events.

"I'll get the staff to set you up in a family chamber," Nie Mingjue told them, "So we can set you up with rooms for them both, and for any other children you have in the future. Now that you're married you'll need more space anyways."

"Thank you," Wei Wuxian said, and he knew his brother was torn. On one hand, he'd be giving up the room he'd lived in since Nie Mingjue had first taken him off the streets. But he was giving it up to move in with his new family, and his position in the Nie had not changed one bit.

"We can convert your room now to your study," Nie Mingjue offered him. It wasn't as if they needed the space for anything else. And with all of the inventing Wei Wuxian did, it would be good for him to have his own space, especially away from where his children were.

"You think so?" Wei Wuxian asked, brightening up, "My own study! Imagine how much I could do in there! Thank you, Da-ge! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Lan Zhan imagine all the things I could build there! Oh I already have some new ideas I want to test out, especially now that Er-ge cant protest that I'll set my bed on fire again!"

Wangji simply gave Wei Wuxian a fond smile, not agreeing and not disagreeing.

"It is my pleasure," Nie Mingjue informed him with a grin, "Now, A-Yuan, A-Lian, what do you say we buy you some new toys? Now that you're officially family, I need to do my best to spoil you both."

Before A-Ying or Wangji could protest, Nie Mingjue ushered the new family to the marketplace, knowing he'd be doing Sang-er proud with the efforts he was taking to spoil the young kids. And if he ignored any complaints from his brother and brother-in-law, well, their opinion on this did not matter.