Chapter 98
The sedan ride to Gusu somehow felt even longer after their stay in Lotus Pier came to an end. It had sucked leaving Er-ge behind, especially knowing very soon Er-ge would properly be married out of the Nie sect. He hated that his brother was leaving, but he had to admit, Er-ge had really come into his own as the future Furen of the Jiang.
Lan Zhan had held his hand the entire sedan ride, while A-Yuan and A-Lian slept against their sides, and Wei Wuxian could only smile at his husband, grateful for his continued presence in Wei Wuxian's life.
"We are nearly there," Lan Zhan said, as the landscape changed to the mountainous range that he was all too familiar with.
"Do you think your uncle is going to try and steal them to be Lan disciples?" Wei Wuxian prodded Lan Zhan gently, "They're already on the Nie registry, they can't be Lans."
"Agreed in our wedding contract that our children will have no primary sect," Lan Zhan said simply, "They may decide when they're older."
"Lan Zhan!" Wei Wuxian said with a gasp, "Are you going to poach our babies to become Lans? Is this all part of your master plan? I won't let you! They're going to be Nie! It's already been decided!"
"We will see," Lan Zhan said simply as their carriage drew to a halt.
He got out of the sedan carefully, before helping A-Yuan and A-Lian down with the help of his husband, as they walking towards the entrance of Cloud Recesses, where Xichen-ge was already waiting to greet them.
Meng Yao smiled happily at the sight of Xichen-ge, and Wei Wuxian couldn't help but wonder if they were going to kiss. Instead, Xichen-ge hugged Meng Yao gently, for several moments, before pulling away and slipping his hand into Meng Yao's, who had blushed brightly.
"Wangji," Xichen-ge greeted brightly, "A-Xian. I'm glad the two of you were able to come. We've been missing you here since the wedding and it's good to have you spend some time here before Sang-er's wedding. A-Yi is excited to have his cousins staying here for a few months. He has quite a few plans for them, just to let you know."
"Xiongzhang," Lan Zhan greeted in response, "Where is Lan Jingyi? And Shufu?"
"In the Hanshi, waiting for you to arrive. They have prepared a family meal," Lan Xichen said, as smiled down at A-Lian and A-Yuan, "Hello there, I'm your Bobo!"
"Bobo?" A-Yuan asked, looking up at Lan Zhan clearly noting the similarities. The two had met before, but at A-Yuan's age, he knew that he barely remembered people he wasn't seeing every day with a few exceptions.
"My Xiongzhang," Lan Zhan explained kindly, "He is very excited to have you both visit my home."
"Remember Baba and I told you that you will have two homes?" Wei Wuxian asked the two children, knowing it was their first time at Cloud Recesses, so he didn't want to overwhelm them, "Qinghe where Da-Shu lives is your one home. Cloud Recesses where your Bobo lives is your other. I grew up in Qinghe so we will stay there sometimes. Baba grew up here, so we will also stay here."
"What about Lotus Pier?" A-Lian asked, a little confused.
"That's more like a vacation home," Wei Wuxian said after a moment, "It's your Er-Shu's home, and he has made us all a very nice set of rooms. And we will be visiting him very often. But the Unclean Realm and Cloud Recesses are your two homes. You are just as a part of one sect as the other. When you are older, you will receive lessons for both sects and train in them both."
He didn't add that they would have to choose one when they were older. They didn't need that stress now.
"Would you like me to show you around?" Xichen-ge offered, "We can do more of a tour after you've had some rest. For now, let me take you to my home. I have someone who is very excited to meet you."
A-Lian looked curious at that, and as they walked through Cloud Recesses, the kids' wonder only grew with every step that they took, looking around with wonder and amazement at the sect that was so much more different than the home they had lived in until that point.
"It's very pretty," A-Lian told Xichen-ge as she slipped her hand through her Bobo's and walked by his side.
"It is, isn't it?" Xichen-ge smiled down at her, "Do you wish to cultivate, A-Lian?"
Lan Zhan exchanged a look with Wei Wuxian then. Neither of them had asked either of the kids, but A-Lian was nearing the age where she would have to start training to build a core in a few years if it was what she wanted.
"Want to do medicine like Auntie Qing," A-Lian said proudly, and Wei Wuxian couldn't help but smile brightly.
"That is a very noble path," he told his daughter brightly, "I'm sure your aunt will be elated to know you wish to follow in her footsteps."
A-Lian simply beamed at them.
"Want to be like Baba!" A-Yuan declared then, "He's strong and helps people."
"Not like your Die-die?" Wei Wuxian poked the child he was currently carrying in the stomach.
"Like Die-die too," A-Yuan giggled, "Want to use a saber!"
"Maybe we'll make a proper Nie out of you yet," Wei Wuxian said, teasing Lan Zhan more than A-Yuan.
His husband was far too proper to react.
As they reached the Hanshi, Wei Wuxian watched as Lan Jingyi ran up to them the moment they entered the Hanshi.
"No running in Cloud Recesses," Shushu reminded A-Yi with a gentle tone.
"Sorry, Zu-fu," Lan Jingyi said, sounding a bit sheepish, "I wanted to meet my cousins."
"Cousin?" A-Yuan asked looking up in awe at Lan Jingyi.
"I'm your Tang-ge," Lan Jingyi said brightly, despite the fact that he was at the most a year older than A-Yuan.
"Tang-ge," A-Yuan beamed.
"You can call me A-Yi though," Lan Jingyi said quickly, "Please?"
"A-Yi." A-Yuan agreed readily, "I'm A-Yuan! My Jiejie's A-Lian!"
A-Lian smiled shyly at the younger boy, as Xichen-ge ushered them towards the table.
"You must be hungry," Xichen-ge said, seating them down in front of all the freshly prepared food, "A-Xian, there is some of the chilli oil you like from Caiyi as well. I hope it suits your palette."
"Thanks, Xichen-ge! You're the best!" Wei Wuxian beamed, as Lan Jingyi immediately sat next to Meng Yao, telling his father about everything that he'd missed, all the while asking his cousins questions curiously. A-Yuan seemed to be absolutely taken with his older cousin, and A-Lian was happy to engage with them both.
"Wangji requested I buy enough bottles for your stay here," Lan Xichen said ruefully, giving credit back to Wei Wuxian's husband.
"My husband, so thoughtful," Wei Wuxian said, smiling brightly at Lan Zhan.
"Always for Wei Ying," Lan Zhan said with a thick face, before putting food on their children's plate.
"He's such a good father," Wei Wuxian said to Lan Qiren happily, "Look how kind and gentle he is."
"Both of them have turned into wonderful fathers," Lan Qiren said in agreement, "I am quite proud of how far they've come."
"Shufu," Lan Xichen said, giving him a warm smile.
"Zu-fu is the best," Lan Jingyi agreed readily, "After Baba and Shufu!"
"I'm glad I rank so highly on your list," Lan Qiren said, in a dry but clearly pleased voice.
"Zu-fu has been teaching me so much!" Lan Jingyi told the other children, "He's been teaching me to play the xiao like Baba plays! I can't cultivate with it yet, but I'm learning how to make sounds! I still am bad at it, but one day I'll be as good as Baba!"
"You'll be far better than me," Lan Xichen said readily, "Especially with all the people in your life who will train with you."
"Can I also learn to play an instrument?" A-Lian asked Lan Qiren curiously, "Auntie Qing says music can be powerful for healing."
"You wish to be a healer?" Lan Qiren asked A-Lian warmly, and as Wei Wuxian's daughter nodded, Lan Qiren smiled in agreement, "I will teach you as well, and you A-Yuan if you wish. It will take time and you will need a golden core if you wish to use musical cultivation. But for now we can work on your foundation."
"Want to play guqin like Baba," A-Yuan agreed.
"Not dizi like me?" Wei Wuxian asked his son in betrayal. Oh how it hurt to be betrayed by those he had trusted.
"Dizi like Die-die too," A-Yuan said in agreement, as Wei Wuxian laughed.
"Fuqin, do you live with A-Yuan and A-Lian?" Lan Jingyi asked, turning to Meng Yao.
"I do," Meng Yao said in confirmation, "Right now, your Die-die and I stay in Qinghe. Your Shushu and Shufu spend half the year in Qinghe and the other half here with you in Gusu."
"I can keep my cousins for half a year?" Lan Jingyi said in a daze, "We're going to have so much fun! Will they attend lessons with me? Can I show them Caiyi? And the bunnies! Baba I want to show them Shufu's bunnies! The ones he got from Shushu!"
"Bunnies?" A-Yuan perked up, "Baba has bunnies? Die-die, you gave Baba bunnies? Can I see please?"
"I would like to see bunnies too please!" A-Lian agreed, just as polite as her brother, earning a proud look from Lan Qiren on their manners.
"Mm," Lan Zhan agreed easily, as he continued to put food onto their children's plates, "Was the first courting gift from your Die-die after we got engaged. You may see our bunnies after eating."
Wei Wuxian gaped at his husband. Because his words weren't entirely wrong. Even if Wei Wuxian didn't know that they had just gotten engaged. Even if Wei Wuxian didn't know that he had feelings for Lan Zhan. He'd still given him the bunnies because he'd loved Lan Zhan, even if he didn't even begin to comprehend just how deeply he'd loved him. Perhaps he ought to get Lan Zhan even more gifts, just to wipe that smug look off his face, and instead have him look at Wei Wuxian with pure love.
That'll show him.
Lan Zhan simply took a sip of tea, knowing how his words affected Wei Wuxian, even if he were unaware of the plan Wei Wuxian was concocting in his head to get back at him.
"Your brothers and I were rather concerned for both of you back then when you went missing," Lan Xichen said with a fond smile, "And then to find out you'd been engaged and A-Xian didn't even realize the meaning of what had occurred. You simply stumbled out of that cave thinking you'd tied the ribbon around your wrist to have the protection it provided without any real idea of what it meant. I could tell Wangji was rather conflicted by it all. Imagine how life could have been if you'd confessed then and there, Wangji. It would have been very romantic. And saved us all a bit of your pining."
"Confessed shortly after," Lan Zhan said, clearly unimpressed that he was now the one being teased, "Still married Wei Ying in the end. Timing was fine. Perfect the way it was."
And well, what could Wei Wuxian really say to that? Everything about their love story had been utterly perfect.
But if anything, Xichen-ge bringing it up now made Wei Wuxian realize one very, very important fact.
They were no longer in Qinghe where Da-ge and Er-ge teased him mercilessly about his feelings.
No, they were in Gusu, with Lan Zhan's brother now. It was finally his husband's turn to be teased properly, and Wei Wuxian could say he was very excited for the fact. Perhaps he would convince Xichen-ge to tell him any stories that he did not know about his husband.
"Wei Ying," Lan Zhan drew him out of his thoughts warningly, clearly knowing then what Wei Wuxian was planning. His husband always did know him far too well, "Eat. Had a long trip. Need stamina."
"Yes, Husband," he said sweetly, before placing some vegetables in Lan Zhan's bowl, hoping to distract him from his master plan.
"We should also begin planning your wedding shortly," Lan Qiren said, directed to Meng Yao and Lan Xichen, "After Nie Huaisang's to Jiang Wanyin, your wedding will follow soon after, and it takes time to properly make the arrangements. While you are here, A-Yao, I'd like to run some ideas by you for the wedding. You too, Xichen. Please keep your schedules free for it. Wangji, Wuxian, I expect you both to help with the planning as well. It is the wedding of your older brothers after all."
"Will help plan a good wedding for Xiongzhang," Lan Wangji said as Lan Xichen simply beamed at him.
"I'll help too!" Wei Wuxian grinned, "Er-ge said I wasn't helpful with actual planning for his, but he agreed to let me help out with the labour and stuff! Xichen-ge, Yao-ge, can I help plan yours? It's Da-ge's wedding and I want him to have the best wedding ever!"
Meng Yao looked alarmed as Lan Xichen simply laughed behind his sleeve, "How about we involve you in the process? We will not make any final decisions without your brother anyways, but we will listen to all the ideas you present," Lan Xichen suggested, "And perhaps we can also make use of your labour as well."
Given it was more than Er-ge was willing to concede, Wei Wuxian accepted readily, figuring it was as good as it was going to get.
"Baba, can I show A-Yuan and A-Lian the bunnies?" Lan Jingyi said, tugging on Lan Xichen's robe after he finished eating, clearly losing his patience and wanting to play with his cousins. "Please, Baba?"
"They may be tired," Lan Xichen said with a small frown, looking over at the other two children, "They did travel a lot today. You should let them get some rest first."
"Baba, I want to see bunnies," A-Yuan said, looking pleadingly at Lan Zhan, looking utterly energized and not at all tired, "Please Baba? Can I see the bunnies?"
Lan Zhan only nodded in agreement, easily giving into his son's request, "Stay with A-Yi. Do not wander off. Ask a disciple for help if you require assistance. But first, need to change."
Wei Wuxian nodded in agreement. They had a long trip, and it would do them some good to wear fresh robes.
Lan Zhan stood, as Lan Xichen pulled a pair of children's robes and handed them to Lan Zhan. He handed a pair to A-Lian, and took A-Yuan to a different room. When he came back out a few moments later, Wei Wuxian felt his heart flutter, seeing his children in matching Lan robes.
Lan Zhan handed Wei Wuxian a white ribbon, as they each tied it around their children's foreheads, Wei Wuxian for A-Lian and Lan Zhan for A-Yuan.
"You both look so cute," Wei Wuxian couldn't help but let out a delighted coo, "Lan Zhan, aren't our babies adorable? Look at them, with their little ribbons. Oh my heart cannot take something so sweet. I'm going to simply perish away."
"Mm," Lan Zhan said, sounding extremely proud, as he patted both of them on the head, "Our children look like proper Lan disciples. Adorable."
"I look like Baba!" A-Yuan let out a gleeful sound, as he played with his forehead ribbon, twirling it between his fingers.
"Your ribbons are extremely important," Lan Qiren told them seriously, "The only people allowed to touch it are your family members, your parents, or your sibling, and your cultivation partner. Your Baba can have your Die-die touch his because they are cultivation partners. Just like they can touch yours as your parents. You must not take it off while you are Lan disciples. I'll leave it up to your fathers to decide what you do in Qinghe."
Wei Wuxian exchanged a look with Lan Zhan. They hadn't exactly discussed that far ahead. Would their children only sometimes wear the ribbon? Always wear it? What would they want to do? It was a big decision and there wasn't an easy answer for it.
Thankfully, their children were rather strong willed, and knew exactly what it was that they wanted to do.
"Can I wear it forever?" A-Yuan asked, pleadingly, looking up at his parents, "Baba wears his in Qinghe. I want to wear mine forever too!"
"Your Baba is a Lan disciple," Wei Wuxian told him, "He married me, but he is not a Nie. You and your sister are Nies and Lans. If you want to wear it forever, however, I see no problem with that. It is your choice. There is no right or wrong answer. It is whatever you wish to do. And you may change your mind at any time."
"Forever," A-Yuan said determinedly, not at all moved in his stance, as he nodded.
"Forever," A-Lian agreed, smiling at her younger brother, easily making the same choice herself.
"Well, I see you've both made your decisions," Wei Wuxian smiled at them, despite knowing he'd never hold it against them if they decided to change their minds in the future.
Lan Zhan looked extremely proud of them both, and Wei Wuxian felt his heart clench a bit at that. He was such an adorable father. How was Wei Wuxian going to stand it if his heart hurt every time Lan Zhan was being a good father? Truly he would perish at a young age.
"Bunnies?" Lan Jingyi asked again, a bit impatiently, getting back to the point, clearly wanting to go.
"Bunnies," Lan Xichen agreed, smiling down at Lan Jingyi, "Do you know the way, A-Yi?"
"Yes, Baba!" A-Yi grinned brightly, clearly growing impatient, "Can I take them now?"
"Yes," Lan Xichen agreed, "Be back by dinner, alright? We're having a special feast to celebrate our new members. They are in our family registry, even if they will not succeed the Lan clan. Unless you're willing to let us keep one or them both."
He added the last part in jest, and Lan Zhan simply shrugged, "Their paths will be their own to determine. Lan or Nie, it is up to them."
Lan Jingyi practically dragged A-Yuan and A-Lian out of the door then, clearly done with their talking, and Wei Wuxian stared after them with a smile, as the adults were left alone.
"I hope your trip was well," Lan Xichen said, focusing properly and fully on Meng Yao now that their son was occupied, giving him his full attention.
"It was," Meng Yao smiled, "Jiang Wanyin had to leave early for the birth of his nephew, but the time in Lotus Pier was rather nice. I am glad that I get to spend the next little while with you however. A-Jue sends his warm wishes."
Lan Xichen smiled at the mention of their partner, "And he's doing well? His Qi hasn't been acting up or anything, has it?"
"It has not," Meng Yao said with a shake of his head, "He's been getting checked regularly, at my insistence of course. He proclaims he is fine, however I am unwilling to risk his health as such."
"He can't say no to the two of you," Wei Wuxian laughed, "Yao-ge just looks very sad any time Da-ge protests. And then sometimes Er-ge and I throw in a pleading remark or two, and he's a goner."
"He's always been very tightly wrapped around yours and Sang-er's fingers," Lan Xichen laughed, "I'm glad you're here, A-Yao. A-Yi has been talking about it nonstop since I mentioned it."
"Soon we'll be together all the time," Meng Yao said with a smile, "A few more months."
"A few more months," Lan Xichen sighed in agreement.
"How has Xiandu been?" Lan Zhan asked his uncle, "I hope you have not been overworked."
"It has been tiring," Lan Qiren sighed slightly, "There is always one dispute or another. Some are rather tedious and irrelevant. It makes me feel old."
"Shufu is young still," Lan Zhan argued against that, despite them all knowing it was the truth.
"Thank you, Wangji," Lan Qiren smiled, "However I am glad you are here. There are a few matters I wish to address with you both."
"Oh?" Wei Wuxian perked up at that, curious about what it could be.
"There have been rumours that the Burial Mounds has been emitting more resentful energy than usual," Lan Qiren told them both, "Rumours of fierce corpses attacking Yiling at night, but there have been no firsthand accounts to confirm it. I wish to have you both investigate. Jiang Zongzhu has agreed to the investigation, given that Yiling is in his region, and he believes that Wei Wuxian particularly would be good for the task of identifying what is occurring in the region."
Wei Wuxian let out an exhale, "Do you think its Xue Yang? If the demonic energy there is higher than usual, perhaps he is trying to create another Yin Iron by using the energy there to refine one himself."
"Is such a thing possible?" Lan Xichen asked in wonder, looking at him.
"It wouldn't be easy," Wei Wuxian said, "But he did it once before which we all saw in the saber tomb. And the resentful energy in the Burial Mounds is higher than anywhere else in the cultivation world. It's where I would go if I wanted to create my own Yin Iron."
"We will investigate," Lan Zhan agreed readily, "After the Jiang-Nie wedding."
"What about A-Yuan and A-Lian?" Wei Wuxian asked, a little worriedly, "We can't bring them. It'll be far too dangerous. And I refuse to leave them alone in an inn. Especially if something were to happen to us, I don't want them to be alone."
Not like he was.
He didn't fault his parents. He could never hold his childhood against them. But they died on a night hunt. And he'd been left alone.
And if it weren't for Da-ge and Er-ge, he might still be on the streets.
He refused to allow his children to share a similar fate.
"I will take them back with me to Gusu," Lan Xichen offered, "They will not be alone. It isn't safe for them to go with you. You're right. You're parents now, and your children's safety must always come first."
"Always," Lan Zhan agreed, "They will be safe here. We will investigate thoroughly and send a report. If Xue Yang is there, we will not let him escape once more. He will face punishment for all that he has done."
"After the wedding then," Wei Wuxian agreed, "They're getting married in a few weeks. I know Da-ge and Er-ge have been planning like crazy around it, and we'll have to go back to Lotus Pier soon to help them out. But after that, we'll head to the burial mounds and learn just what is happening there."
"It may not just be Xue Yang," Meng Yao commented, "Jin Zixuan has written to me that his father continues to grow unstable. He has been taking meetings in secret, meeting with Jin Zixun and not including Jin Zixuan in the process. He is worried that his father is planning something, and he isn't sure what."
Lan Qiren looked pensive at that, "We certainly will have to keep an eye out."
"We will," Lan Xichen agreed, "But for now, you are back in Gusu after many months. I want you both to enjoy your time here."
"Mm," Lan Zhan agreed, "Will also help Xiongzhang and Shufu with sect duties."
Lan Xichen smiled at him, as he poured tea for them all, while the conversation shifted over to lighter topics.