Chapter Text
"What kind of gentleman plays a foul like this! What kind of Zewu-Jun! Come here, you! Let's go out and fight!"
Wei Wuxian swore loudly while pounding the innocent door, who knew how many times, in his rage.
Perhaps Lan Xichen was inspired by the array that had trapped him in Jinlintai that night, because he had actually set up a similar one in his own residence. It hadn’t originally been meant as a form of detention, but rather as a precaution. Considering the young man’s rebellious temper, he couldn’t risk Wei Wuxian running off before they finished their conversation. Now, however, the array had truly come in handy.
Realizing that a restrictive formation was holding him in place, Wei Wuxian smacked the bamboo mesh decoration one last time in frustration.
He left the front entrance and began circling the courtyard, inspecting the room he had been placed in.
It was a standard private courtyard, exceptionally clean, every corner neat and tidy. The partition screens were painted with landscapes, and the hanging scrolls displayed either complex rivers-and-mountains scenery or quieter natural scenes—bamboo groves, rockeries, and still gardens.
In Danqing, every painter had their own style. Although all landscape paintings looked the same at first glance, they embodied the artist's manner of portraying their subject matter and expressing their vision. It might be difficult for most people to notice, but Wei Wuxian also excelled in Danqing. With a single glance, he recognized the painting style as Lan Xichen's. He'd seen his other works before, and sure enough, when he drifted his gaze to the corner, it was signed under his name.
Initially, Wei Wuxian planned to rummage through the place and see what he could find. But once he realized this might be Lan Xichen’s private chamber, he restrained the impulse. This was a Sect Leader’s residence. Even clan members would be prohibited from entering casually, let alone an outsider like him.
To put it simply, even for a married couple, they had to respect each other's privacy. Not to mention, he had no such relationship with Lan Xichen at all. At most, Wei Wuxian was just someone who had an ambiguous affair with him. What would it look like for someone you had only slept with once to rummage through your room?
If it were Lan Wangji's, though...Wei Wuxian thought he might have no scruples if it were his. But when it came to Lan Xichen, for some reason, he felt more restrained. Perhaps it was because he had deemed Lan Xichen a respected Senior for so long. This cognition had been engraved in his bones and was subconsciously affecting his regard.
Wei Wuxian walked back to the inner side of the room, where the bed stood.
Even if the bedroom counted as something private, he had slept there for an entire month. It was too late to worry now—perhaps the bedding was already permeated with his scent.
Wei Wuxian noticed a low cabinet beside the bed and strode over, opening a drawer. A black robe was folded neatly inside, along with the red sash. Taking it out of the cabinet, Wei Wuxian realized that all that was left was his outer robe.
He looked around and found no black boot of his to match the outfit.
Wei Wuxian inadvertently wondered,
'What happened in Jinlintai that morning...how much haste must Lan Xichen have been in to flee from the scene...'
—Even fetching his outer robe before leaving was already good enough. He probably forgot the boots that had been kicked out to the corner of the room.
The black robe had clearly been washed here in the Cloud Recesses. When Wei Wuxian put it on, he caught a faint, distinct scent lingering on the fabric.
Then his attention shifted to a small Qiankun pouch that had been placed atop the robe in the drawer. Wei Wuxian reached inside.
As expected.
In his palm lay an ebony flute and a piece of cold iron shaped like a Tiger Tally.
It had been the ominous aura of the Yin Tiger Tally that prompted him to check the cabinet in the first place.
Looking at his 2 weapons, Wei Wuxian felt somewhat conflicted.
If one were to speak of who abhorred improper practices the most, it would be Lan Qiren. And if one were to name the sect that disapproved most strongly of an unorthodox path, it would undoubtedly be Gusu Lan. That was why Wei Wuxian had always resisted Lan Wangji’s repeated attempts to bring him to Gusu.
Putting aside ChenQing, but Yin Tiger Tally—
—If it had been anyone else or anywhere else, let alone in the situation where Wei Wuxian was knocked out for a month and basically leaving the artifact completely ownerless, but if there's even a minute of chance to snatch it, it would definitely have been stolen. By the time he woke up, who knew how many thousands of miles away the Tally would be from him.
'It really is...GusuLan Clan. The only one who will uphold their integrity.'
Not just about seizing someone else's weapon, but also doing other things, like, for example, destroying such a sinister artifact without his consent. Otherwise, even if Yin Tiger Tally might not be destroyed, given the character of the GusuLan Sect that advocated themselves to meander away from any wickedness, the artifact would have been confiscated at the very least. Wei Wuxian knew the reason nothing had happened was Lan Xichen's consideration.
Twirling ChenQing back to his hand, Wei Wuxian looked around once more but found nothing in particular.
With a snort, he went back to sit in front of a jade table on the other side of the screen.
This was where Lan Xichen had been seated before Wei Wuxian woke. Aside from the jugs and small pots filled with drinks he had been offered earlier, another tray rested on the table. A porcelain bowl held assorted fruits. Wei Wuxian picked out a fragrant loquat and bit directly into the flesh.
Perhaps it was fate. The last time he came to the Cloud Recesses as a guest disciple, he had been fifteen, and it had also been spring. Now, at twenty, it was once again the same season. Even the fruit was identical—Loquats.
Wei Wuxian swallowed the last chunk of the Loquat and habitually wiped his hand on his robe.
What should he do now? Where the hell had Lan Xichen run to? Surely he wouldn’t lock him inside and leave a newly awakened patient to pass out once again from starvation, right? In that case, whether it was Lan Xichen himself or a disciple he sent, someone ought to come deliver a meal sooner or later.
It'd be better if it were Lan Xichen. Even if Wei Wuxian was afraid that he would be so reckless as to do exactly what he said before, making an announcement couldn't be completed in just a few hours. That meant he would still have a chance to persuade Lan Xichen and prevent him from going on a path of no return.
Wei Wuxian couldn't possibly watch the other man ruin himself and bear all the accusations alone.
Lan Xichen had acted in the first place to protect Wei Wuxian’s reputation. He could easily have walked away and refused to acknowledge anything had happened. Moreover, given his sworn brotherhood with Jin Guangyao, LanlingJin Sect would certainly have helped him to stay clear of the matter.
In that case, only the unconscious Wei Wuxian would have been left to bear whatever charges were imposed. He wouldn’t even have been able to defend himself. It'd be easy for others to charge him with whatever.
However, Lan Xichen hadn't done that. He preserved both their reputations and chose instead to stand against the Jin Clan. Perhaps he couldn’t tolerate being caught in someone else’s scheme, even if it wasn’t originally meant for him. But more than that, his character simply wouldn’t allow him to be irresponsible.
Likewise, Wei Wuxian couldn’t let someone else bear infamy on his behalf. Besides, if Lan Xichen were to shoulder all the consequences, it's not just going to be him who would be implicated. As a Sect Leader, his Sect and his Clan would also suffer disgrace.
The Lan Clan was the only one among the many sects that Wei Wuxian genuinely held in high regard. He had no hostility toward them, and it was inconceivable to let them be dragged down. This was Lan Wangji’s sect, and Zewu-jun was his family.
How sad would Lan Wangji be if such a thing happened...
'How could I, Wei Wuxian, remain indifferent to the people whom Lan Zhan cherishes in his heart?'
In the early evening, the entrance of the Hanshi finally slid open.
Someone noiselessly slipped inside the room.
His light steps faltered for a moment as he noticed the pitch-black room. He continued to walk forward flawlessly regardless, as if the dark didn't impede his sight. He placed the tray he carried onto the jade table with precision. Afterward, he waved his hand slightly, and a faint stream of spiritual energy flowed to each lantern in the room, igniting them one by one.
The moment the room brightened, a gust of wind shot out from an inconspicuous corner and rushed toward him in the blink of an eye.
It was Wei Wuxian.
And the person he was currently pinning against the doorframe… was Lan Xichen.
Wei Wuxian grinned playfully, lifting Lan Xichen's chin with ChenQing, and greeted him, "So, Zewu-Jun still remembers not to starve me to death here after all."
Lan Xichen didn't look surprised at the sudden assault. "How could I? Wei-Gongzi, now, if you allow me, I will set the dinner for you."
"Setting the dinner? Are you sure you just want to set my dinner? It's night already, don't you want to 'set' on something else?"
Lan Xichen responded calmly, "Wei-Gongzi, please pay attention to your words. Just now you were apologizing for your lack of courtesy, have you forgotten your manner once again?"
Wei Wuxian raised his brow. "Oh-ho, speaking about forgotten, I thought you were hellbent on marrying me before. Why? You've changed your mind so quickly? Have you sent your 'truthful clarification' to other sects?"
"Not yet." Lan Xichen answered. "Preparing an official announcement can not be done in just a single day, Wei-Gongzi should have known it himself."
"I figured." Wei Wuxian nodded.
"But you don't have to feel this anxious. At most, the day after tomorrow, everything will be resolved." Lan Xichen promised him kindly.
Those words flipped a switch in Wei Wuxian.
He threw the other man against the sliding door and yanked his front collar, yelling in anger, "Are you crazy?! Do you think I won't dare to hit you right now? Lan Xichen, do you still want your reputation!?"
Lan Xichen calmly grasped his wrists back and replied, "What kind of reputation do I need?"
Wei Wuxian, "If you tell them such a thing, how do you expect people to think about you? How are you going to arrange your future marriage?!"
Lan Xichen gently pried Wei Wuxian's hands from his collar and moved them back to his sides. He said, "If you are that worried about my reputation, then I can also follow your earlier arrangement. We may maintain this relationship for as long as necessary. Likewise, if someday Wei-Gongzi finds someone he truly likes and wishes to marry, I will then think of a way, so that you can marry that person in an upright manner." He smiled at the end.
"...Then what about you?"
"Hmm? What about me?" Lan Xichen laughed softly. "There is no need to worry about me. I will not be able to marry someone else either way."
Wei Wuxian's expression distorted.
He complained, in a low voice, sounding almost like a helpless child, "Wouldn't that...wouldn't that have been so unfair to you..."
Lan Xichen raised his brow, amused. "It is unfair to me, yet if it is you, it becomes fair?"
Wei Wuxian became quiet.
They remained locked in a stalemate by the Hanshi entrance.
Neither of the room occupants moved. They stayed in the same position, standing while facing each other just inches away. One person had a strangely unsettling stillness in his expression. The other had a serene smile plastered on his face.
After a while, Wei Wuxian finally parted his mouth, asking calmly, "Are you sure this is what you want?"
Lan Xichen met his gaze. "I had a full month, not only to talk with my family but also to think for myself."
Wei Wuxian sighed. "...I understand."
Lan Xichen smiled. "Hmm?"
Wei Wuxian, "I said, so be it!" He yanked Lan Xichen's front robes once again, but with less force, and suddenly raised his lips into a teasing smile, "Isn't it just getting married? Since the person who should be more worried about their future doesn't care much, why should I be the one feeling distressed about it? Let's just do it!"
Who's afraid of whom?
It should be the GusuLan Clan who ought to pray harder after gaining such a son-in-law!
If someday Lan Xichen regretted his decision, the one whose intestines would turn green from lamentation would be him anyway! Wei Wuxian would simply laugh at the man's youthful imprudence and said, 'I told you so!'
Lan Xichen kindly repeated his own words prior, "Wei-Gongzi, do not be hasty. Marriage is a once-in-a-lifetime matter. Do not do it out of guilt or to self-reproach."
Wei Wuxian, "..."
"...I am not doing it out of guilt. I'm doing it to take responsibility."
Lan Xichen, "Responsibility?"
"That's right." Wei Wuxian locked his gaze with him and said seriously. "Since I have defiled one of Lan DoubleJade, I should be responsible. We did it together. If there are consequences, we should bear them together!"
In everyone’s eyes, regardless of who initiated what, the incident must have been seen as Wei Wuxian defiling Lan Xichen.
What a pity—an unattainable gentleman, with ineffable purity and exquisiteness like jade, had to be defiled by someone in the likes of Wei Wuxian! The whole world must have been weeping blood and tears in mourning!
On the other hand, hearing his declaration, Lan Xichen's eyes suddenly crinkled, as a warm smile spread across his face.
It was exceptionally warm and refreshing, so much so that Wei Wuxian couldn't help but think in his mind: the gentleness of the morning sun.
"Then it is settled." Lan Xichen said softly. "I am glad to hear it. Since Wei-Gongzi has no further objections, we shall proceed with my original arrangement."
Wei Wuxian was still being dazzled by the Beauty's smile unfurling inches away from his face. His reaction came out vague, and he merely hummed, "Oh, umm...that's it."
Lan Xichen generously maintained his smile as it was.
Perhaps it's a skill he had accidentally picked up during that passionate night, when he kept paying close attention to the young man's every reaction. But just now, being in close proximity once again, he was able to catch every shift in Wei Wuxian's expression. And he noticed how Wei Wuxian seemed momentarily captivated by his face.
He felt...quite proud.
To tell the truth, what he did today was quite a psychological warfare.
He had used both his own reputation and that of his clan as bargaining chips.
And what he bet about was Wei Wuxian's conscience and the nature of his heart.
If Wei Wuxian were an apathetic person, he wouldn’t care what happened to Lan Xichen. He might even think it convenient: since Lan Xichen was willing to shoulder the infamy alone, why should he interfere? What did it matter to him if the Gusu Lan lost their grace, or if Lan Xichen became riddled with opprobrium?
This wager was also a test.
If Wei Wuxian could truly stand by coldly while others bore the consequences, so long as his own interests were unaffected, then Lan Xichen would never marry such a person!
Becoming cultivation partners meant supporting each other through thick and thin. If Wei Wuxian could remain indifferent to his predicament today, he might just as easily turn away from his troubles tomorrow.
Marrying a man already meant cutting off the possibility of descendants. If he couldn’t even marry someone reliable, wouldn’t that be too terrible?
Fortunately, Wei Wuxian lived up to his expectations.
Lan Xichen felt an immense sense of relief.
His own reputation—and his clan’s—could still be preserved. Better yet, his future partner had proven himself worthy. That eased many of his worries.
He removed Wei Wuxian’s hands from his robes once more. This time, however, he did not release them, instead, he held both wrists gently. In such a posture, Lan Xichen suddenly asked,
"Wei-Gongzi, I do not know why you assumed I would marry someone else. But there is something I cannot understand. In your mind, after what happened that night, do you think I could still look at you the same way?"
Wei Wuxian lowered his gaze to their intertwined hands and answered lowly, “…It might be difficult. But perhaps, after some time has passed, you might…?”
As if hearing an amusing joke, Lan Xichen laughed instead.
"Is that truly what you think? Then, Wei-Gongzi, do you think I can still build a relationship with someone else as if nothing happened? Do you expect me to have no thought at all and not be reminded of you? Have you never considered that I might inevitably compare that person to you?"
"..."
Wei Wuxian hadn’t expected such an admission.
But it reminded him of the hazy memory he had that night.
If someone were to compile the Bed KungFu available in this era, there's no style that wouldn't remind them of that night.
Thinking about the whole series of 18 Styles of Martial Arts they had performed the whole night meticulously, it's really...
It's really hard to describe in one word.