He shouldn't have been surprised. He really shouldn't have been surprised.

Sure, they were using a brand new type of magic that allowed them to bypass the security of the Cloud Recesses. And sure, he hadn't necessarily expected anyone to get there that soon.

But Wei Wuxian and Wangji were constantly full of surprises. So anything they did should not have surprised him.

However, for some reason, Xichen's mouth fell open at the sight of his brother, Wei Wuxian, Jin Ling and his dog, Lan Sizhui, Wen Ning, and Huaisang parading into the Cloud Recesses like they owned the place. Well, Wei Wuxian strolled in like the world belonged to him. The rest just sort of filed in behind him, looking out of place and awkward in comparison.

"Zewu-jun!" Wei Wuxian cried, bounding up to him but stopping short of doing anything considered improper. "You've come out of seclusion just for us?! I'm so honored!"

He chuckled at his little joke. Xichen couldn't muster the energy to match his cheer. In typical fashion, though, he gave Wei Wuxian what he hoped looked like a genuine smile.

Wangji eyed him from beside his husband. Xichen never had been able to hide much from his brother and vice versa. So he knew that he, at the very least, hadn't fooled him.

Across the way, the two boys and Huaisang started to sneak off in opposite directions. Xichen was of a mind to call them back, but Wei Wuxian had started to talk again and he didn't want to interrupt him.

"Seriously, though," Wei Wuxian said, dropping his voice low, or at least as low as one with the natural speaking volume of an earthquake could muster. "How are you?"

Xichen half-expected Wangji to nudge Wei Wuxian or tell him off for prying, but he didn't. He was waiting for an answer too.

"I'll be better once we deal with Xue Yang," Xichen said.

"Let's get to devising a plan then!" Wei Wuxian said, clapping his hands together and flashing a devilish grin. "Come along, Huaisang!"

Huaisang jumped when he was called. He was normally a little on edge, but this seemed excessive. In fact, Huaisang had looked terribly uncomfortable from the moment he'd arrived in the Cloud Recesses.

"Will the boys be coming as well?" Xichen asked as Lan Sizhui and Jin Ling disappeared from the courtyard.

"Boys?" Wei Wuxian repeated. There was a sly glimmer in his eye. "I don't recall any boys. But if any do show up, might they be allowed to join the meeting late?"

"Of course," Xichen said. "Please follow me."

Xichen led Wangji, Wei Wuxian, Wen Ning, and Huaisang to the meeting room where Lan Qiren waited for them. A pot of tea sat on the table and next to it were four empty cups.

Qiren frowned. "So many of you. Welcome home, Wangji. I must say, I'm surprised to see you."

"He and Wei Wuxian do have a habit of showing up where the action is," Xichen said lightly.

"And Sect Leader Huaisang," Qiren went on. "Welcome, welcome."

Huaisang's eyes widened a little. He always seemed surprised when Qiren spoke to him as an equal. Perhaps he'd never quite recovered from being one of his worst students in the past.

"Please sit," Xichen said, indicating toward the plain cushions that were placed on the floor around the table. He then stepped away to grab several more teacups from one of the painted white cabinets along the wall.

"Does Wen Ning need to be here?" Qiren asked.

Xichen watched as Wei Wuxian squared his shoulders.

"Yes," he said firmly.

"He's not a sect leader…"

"Neither am I," Wei Wuxian said. "Would you like me to leave as well?"

Everything about his uncle's face told Xichen that the answer to that question was a resounding 'yes'. Even after the events at the Guanyin temple, Qiren still found Wei Wuxian difficult to handle.

However, Qiren was a Lan and that meant he had to uphold a certain standard of etiquette now that Wei Wuxian was no longer a student and his name was in decent standing once more.

"Of course not," Qiren said. "Wen Ning may stay as well."

"Great!" Wei Wuxian said merrily. "Shall we get on with the plan then? You know where Xue Yang is?"

"We have a lead," Qiren said. He then paused and frowned, scratching his neatly trimmed beard. "Where are Sect Leaders Jin and Jiang? Did they not travel with you? Our people were instructed to find them to deliver the update on Xue Yang. Why are they not here?"

"Jin Ling will be in momentarily," Wangji replied, his voice as calm and even as it had ever been. "Jiang Wanyin was-"

He was interrupted by commotion from the open doorway. Jin Ling, Lan Sizhui, and Lan Jingyi had all come in together quite noisily.

Sizhui was quiet and polite, bowing to Qiren and the others as he entered. There was a pink in his cheeks that betrayed his embarrassment of the other two. Jin Ling's face was far beyond pink. He was bright red and his sharp handsome features were contorted in anger while Jingyi beside him, also red in the face, howled with laughter.

Xichen smiled. The boys were exactly as they'd always been.

Qiren cleared his throat and Jin Ling, who had his hands balled into fists ready to fight, snapped to attention. He stammered a little bit, muttered a polite greeting, and bowed. Jingyi followed suit, but he hadn't bothered to stop laughing at whatever joke had been made outside.

"Will Sect Leader Jiang be joining us?" Xichen asked Sizhui who shook his head.

"Sect Leader Jiang parted ways with us earlier," he said. "I'm not sure if the Lan disciples were able to find him. He was very… upset. He might not have wanted to be found."

Wei Wuxian snorted and muttered something into his tea that Xichen couldn't hear. But from the look of subtle agreement on Wangji's face, he knew nothing good could have been said.

"In that case," Qiren said, "please alert the disciples outside to make sure no one disturbs us."

Sizhui nodded obediently and proceeded to go do as he was told.

"Would we not rather have this conversation somewhere more private?" Wen Ning asked, suddenly reminding Xichen of his presence.

The Ghost General had not taken a seat at the table but rather had shuffled away to stand in one corner of the room.

Xichen felt a little ache in his heart. Had his uncle made him feel so unwelcome that he dared not approach the others?

Qiren turned to him, also seeming surprised that he was still there.

"What's wrong with this room?" he asked.

The place was well stocked with tea, dishes, and books that were commonly referred to for planning night hunts or even war strategies – everything one would need to host important guests.

"There's not a single door here," Wei Wuxian said, taking Wen Ning's side. "Are you ready for everyone to know about Xue Yang?"

Thin curtains billowed in front of two open doorways. The one they'd all entered was covered by nothing. The space was great for allowing air flow but not so great for secrets.

"Firstly, Lan disciples know better than to eavesdrop," Qiren replied, "and secondly, if people don't know about Xue Yang, how can they defend themselves from him?"

"This could all get back to him," Wei Wuxian said. "Then he knows that we know and if everyone knows, he's going to make himself a lot more difficult to find. Have you told all of your people about him already?"

"Only the inner disciples," Xichen said, taking a seat across from his brother.

Wei Wuxian looked as though he disapproved of even that many people knowing, but Wangji set his hand on his and Wei Wuxian kept his judgement on that matter to himself.

"If we have this conversation here, even more may hear it," Wei Wuxian said.

"Lan disciples know better than to eavesdrop," Xichen repeated, not unkindly.

"Fine. I suppose people have been talking about him as it is."

And so, Qiren started their discussion.

He told the others that evidence of Xue Yang had been discovered in Qishan and that the resentful energy in that region had increased nearly tenfold.

Wei Wuxian and Wangji asked the most questions. Jin Ling would pitch in an idea here and a question there, but he didn't speak as much as Jingyi or even Sizhui. He seemed to be talking much less than usual for him. Xichen guessed he didn't want to risk saying something foolish that would make the other clan leaders doubt him.

As the conversation dragged on, Wei Wuxian looked more and more in Huaisang's direction, going so far as to ask him directly for input on certain topics. It seemed he'd expected Huaisang to speak more during the meeting and was taken aback that he hadn't.

But Xichen wasn't surprised. Huaisang was surrounded by people that he considered to be better than himself in ability and knowledge. He wouldn't speak for much the same reason that Xichen believed Jin Ling was quieter.

"Should we decide who's going on this-?"

Wei Wuxian didn't get the chance to finish his sentence before the sounds of shouting could be heard outside.

"Your own people told me to come here!" came Jiang Cheng's voice, ringing clearly through the open doorway. "Lan Qiren was supposed to inform me of all of this! Now you won't even let me in?!"

Jin Ling was looking very uncomfortable between Sizhui and Jingyi. Wei Wuxian, however, cracked a smile.

"Weren't you told to make sure no one disturbs us?" Wei Wuxian called at the Lan disciples standing somewhere just out of sight outside. "Well here's no one, and he's doing a pretty good job of disturbing us! Great work!"

Jin Ling shot Wei Wuxian a reproachful look that went unnoticed. Although Xichen couldn't see Jiang Cheng from where he was, he could feel his rage radiate in from the courtyard.

"Let me in. Now."

"Please let him in," Qiren called out, giving Wei Wuxian his own admonishing look.

Jiang Cheng stomped into the room. The very air about him seemed to crackle as he glowered at Wei Wuxian who scooted closer to Wangji.

Jiang Cheng put his hands together in front of himself and bowed to Qiren, Huaisang, and Xichen. He even briefly greeted the three boys, but he paid no mind to Wei Wuxian or Wangji.

In the past, Xichen had found Jiang Cheng's inability to conceal his emotions oddly refreshing. He still did to some degree. Each fleeting thought was present on his face or twitching in his hands. With everyone else around them constantly scheming and conniving, it was nice to know that there was someone who would never do that – or would never be able to do so successfully.

Over the years, however, as Jiang Cheng had grown darker and more paranoid, he became steadily more volatile. Everyone knew that he ultimately stood for himself and those closest to him, which used to be more of a neutral quality of his, sometimes even endearing.

But when he'd thought the person closest to him had betrayed him, this quality of his had poisoned him. He clung tighter to those he had left and was suspicious of everyone, friend or foe.

So, although Jiang Cheng was an open book, few of the pages inside had anything good to say.

Jiang Cheng took the empty seat next to Jingyi. Xichen rose to pour him a cup of tea, but Wangji waved him away and did it himself as Qiren began to fill Jiang Cheng in on the details that he'd missed.

"Right," Wei Wuxian said after Qiren had fallen silent. "Now we're deciding who we're sending out to Qishan."

"I'll go," both Jiang Cheng and Jin Ling said together.

Xichen smiled at the two of them. They were very much alike. However, Jin Ling hadn't developed the darker parts of Jiang Cheng's personality.

That really was for the best.

"You have arranged for others to run things in Yunmeng and Lanling?" Qiren asked.

"Yes," they said again in unison.

Qiren looked between the two of them but didn't comment.

"Lan Zhan and I will be going too, won't we?" Wei Wuxian asked, clinging to Wangji's arm.

"Mn."

It didn't seem like Wangji wanted to. But he also didn't often deny Wei Wuxian what he asked for.

"You don't have to," Xichen said. "You both have been through enough lately. You deserve to rest. I will deal with Xue Yang. In fact," he went on, dropping his gaze to the wooden floor, "no one needs to involve themselves. This is my mess more than anyone else's."

Qiren wasn't as taken aback by Xichen's statement as he'd expected. He simply closed his eyes, almost disappointed.

Wangji carefully folded his hands atop the table. "This is not your responsibility," he said.

"No more yours than mine," Wei Wuxian said in that chipper manner of his. "And I wouldn't describe my time with Lan Zhan as 'restful' anyway."

Wangji looked like he wanted nothing more than to disappear. Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes.

"Besides," Wei Wuxian went on, "it's my problem no matter what. Xue Yang is after me."

"Presumably," Jiang Cheng said snidely. He then went on to say, "No matter who's responsible, I don't revoke my decision to aid in capturing him."

"Neither do I," Jin Ling said.

"Neither do we," said Wangji.

Xichen couldn't find his words, so he smiled and hoped they could all see how grateful he was to them.

Wangji's mouth twitched. He had seen. He always saw.

"If Jin Ling is going, I'm going too!" Jingyi declared, pounding his fist on the table.

Qiren raised an eyebrow and Jingyi shrank down marginally, but only for a moment.

"What?" he said. "I can't let him show me up!"

"I'll show you up whether you come along or not," Jin Ling sniped back.

"Oh, you're-!"

"I'd like to lend my help as well," Sizhui interrupted. Jingyi shut his mouth, but not before making a face at Jin Ling. "As long as Wen Qionglin has no objections."

Qiren gave Xichen a perplexed look. He didn't know why would Sizhui need to ask for Wen Ning's permission first.

Xichen, however, was aware. He only pretended like he didn't know.

The Ghost General shifted in the corner of the room. "None of you are safe until Xue Yang is dealt with," he said in a raspy voice. "I had no reservations about helping before. Nothing has changed."

Sizhui inclined his head to him.

"Needless to say, I will not be going along," Qiren said. "You won't be needing my services and someone needs to stay here to maintain things."

"Of course, Shufu," Xichen said. Wangji nodded.

Once everyone else around the table had spoken, all eyes turned to Huaisang. The small anxious sect leader hid behind his painted fan, as if that would keep the others from noticing him.

"Sect Leader Nie," Qiren said, causing Huaisang to jump, "will you be joining them?"

"I'm – uh – well, you all know that I'm useless in a fight," he said with a nervous chuckle, eying Wei Wuxian who had started to lean closer. "I can send disciples to help you if it's needed."

"You've developed a whole new type of cultivation spell!" Wei Wuxian exclaimed. "You should come with us!"

Xichen remembered how Huaisang and Wei Wuxian had gotten along so well during their schooling in the Cloud Recesses. It didn't surprise him that Wei Wuxian would ask him to come along.

Jiang Cheng, however – the third of their trio – did not seem so eager for his company. Though perhaps his sour expression was simply due to the fact that Wei Wuxian had spoken. It might not have been aimed at Huaisang whatsoever.

"I showed you how to use it!" he whined. "You don't need me anymore!"

"Don't sell yourself short, Huaisang!" Wei Wuxian said. "You have plenty of talents, even if others don't see them! Don't make me start listing all the great things you've done!"

Jiang Cheng's eyebrows flicked upward. Huaisang paled.

Something about what Wei Wuxian said had garnered a reaction from both of them. Xichen assessed the room, but no one else had seemed to notice, except perhaps Wangji who was staring at Huaisang with an unprecedented intensity.

"I really don't think I should…" Huaisang said.

Wei Wuxian leaned ever closer to him. If he wasn't careful, he was going to spill his cup.

"I think it's perfectly reasonable for you to put your clan's affairs first," Qiren said, breaking the tension. "Especially since there are already so many volunteers to take care of this matter."

"Thank you, Shizun," Huaisang muttered.

Qiren raised an eyebrow at the title given but didn't correct it.

"That settles things," Xichen said, getting to his feet. "All but Sect Leader Nie and Shufu will be leaving for Qishan."

Around the table, the others began to stand as well.

"I will send you any new information from our disciples," Qiren said, placing a hand on Xichen's shoulder. "Please take care."

"I will, Shufu."

"The same goes for you, Wangji," Qiren said, redirecting his attention to his younger nephew.

"I will," Wangji replied.

With that, the group bade farewell to Qiren and stepped outside together.

The large black and white dog that had accompanied Jin Ling upon his arrival to the Cloud Recesses was seated outside the courtyard entrance, wagging its tail happily at the sight of its master. Animals weren't usually allowed inside the Cloud Recesses, but the dog had appeared in the courtyard with Jin Ling and no one had told the Lan disciples what was to be done with it. The two Lans who were posted outside the door were exchanging looks with one another and glancing nervously at it.

When Xichen and the others began to file outside, the disciples began to blurt out apologies for having let the dog stay.

"We're sorry, Sect Leader," one of them said, wringing his hands. "We weren't sure what to do with her. But she was well-behaved, so we let her sit there."

"That's fine," Xichen said to them, watching as their anxious mannerisms disappeared.

"Thank you, Sect Leader," the other disciple said.

"My uncle is still in charge," Xichen corrected without looking at them. "Be sure to defer to him on all other matters."

He could sense their questions. Xichen hadn't done a good job making it clear to everyone in the Cloud Recesses that his time in seclusion was paused but not finished and that he wouldn't be taking over the clan's affairs just yet. He wasn't even sure if everyone in the Cloud Recesses knew that he'd resurfaced.

But he didn't want to spend time clarifying things. There was something else he wanted to find out.

Xichen wandered over toward Jiang Cheng. However, an arm clothed in fine olive green fabric swung out in front of him, stopping Xichen in his tracks.

Huaisang had closed his fan and held it tightly in the hand opposite the one that he'd used to get Xichen's attention.

"Er-ge?" he said quietly. His elegant features were twisted as though in pain.

"What is it, Huaisang?"

"I wanted to say – I mean, I think I should say that-"

Pinpricks of sweat shone on Huaisang's forehead. He looked faint.

"Are you feeling all right?" Xichen asked, reaching out to feel for a fever. In the back of his mind, he worried Xue Yang may have targeted him for his friendship with Wei Wuxian. How he would have known about that, though, he didn't know.

"I'm fine," Huaisang said, pushing his hand away from him. "I just wanted to say-" He took a deep breath. "-that I will also send word to you if the Nie Clan learns anything new about Xue Yang. I'll do whatever I can to be helpful from the outside."

"I appreciate that, Huaisang. Thank you."

Huaisang opened his mouth as if to say more, but closed it again and sidled off toward Wei Wuxian and Wangji who had found him some Lan disciples to escort him home to Qinghe.

Xichen was left standing by himself, confused and worried about what Huaisang had said. Or rather, what he hadn't said.

After a moment's contemplation, he decided that it didn't matter for now what Huaisang had wanted to say. He wasn't coming with them. Whatever it was could wait until Xue Yang was dealt with and the last darkness of Meng Yao was eliminated.