Chapter Text
Lan Wangji knew that something was amiss just from the tone of his son’s voice as he greeted him at the gates of the Cloud Recesses. Even Lan Sizhui’s perfect bow and carefully controlled facial expression could not hide the tightness in his voice as he greeted the man.
“Hanguang-Jun, welcome back. I hope your trip went well.”
Lan Wangji nodded in response. “Mm. Thank you.”
Sizhui rose from his bow, glancing between the assigned guards at the gates and the older man. “Perhaps Hanguang-Jun could follow me to the Jingshi before giving his report to Master Qiren?” the young man asked.
It was no question really. He always went and visited Wei Ying before anything else upon returning. While normally the idea of going to see his husband would fill Lan Wangji’s chest with warmth, Sizhui’s barely concealed worry was making his blood run cool.
Once they were out of earshot of the guards, Sizhui let out a shaky breath. “A-Die… I think there’s something wrong with Baba.”
The very words could have stopped Lan Wangji in his tracks, but he pressed forward at a quickened pace. “Wei Ying is hurt?” he asked, as lines of worry managed to crack through the jade façade of Lan Wangji’s face.
“No, not that I can tell!” Sizhui was quick to assure the man. “But, he’s…”
They were approaching the Jingshi now, and Lan Wangji was growing frustrated with his son’s lack of explanation. He might have normally quoted the Lan Precept about always finishing one’s sentences, but he had more pressing matters on his mind than etiquette.
Lan Wangji opened the door in a controlled rush, eyes quickly scanning the room for his husband. Despite Sizhui assuring him that Wei Ying was not physically injured, Lan Wangji could not help that his mind was replaying every moment where he had been forced to see Wei Ying injured, half expecting to see it again in this moment.
What he saw instead was Wei Wuxian sitting at the low table in the center of the room in pristine white Gusu Lan robes, his hair up in one of the many fine jade hair pins that Wangji had gifted him yet Wei Wuxian refused to wear out of fear of breaking or losing them. His posture was immaculate as he took a demure sip of tea before placing the cup down and elegantly rising to his feet to greet the two men with a bow.
“Welcome back Hanguang-Jun. I trust your journey was pleasant?” Wei Wuxian asked.
Lan Wangji looked to Sizhui who was eyeing Wei Wuxian as if the display had been painful to watch. “Like I said…” he spoke softly, just for Lan Wangji’s ears. “…he’s not hurt, but he’s acting really weird.”
Lan Wangji had to agree with his son’s assessment. Wei Wuxian almost never wore Lan robes because they were, in his words, ‘depressing and not his shade’. His husband also rarely ever referred to Lan Wangji by his title unless speaking to someone else. But most telling, Wei Wuxian never greeted Lan Wangji after being apart with something so cold as a bow. Wangji’s arms felt heavy and cold from the lack of Wei Ying within them.
Taking a few steps towards his husband, Wangji tried to subtly assess the situation. “Wei Ying, are you well?” he asked, delicately.
“Very well, thank you, husband. Sit- would you both like some tea?” he asked, gesturing to the pot.
Behind him, Lan Wangji could feel Sizhui radiating with discomfort.
“Senior Wei, is this some sort of a prank? Because if so, you can stop now.” the young man spoke up. It wasn’t a whine, but it was a close thing.
“Pranks are prohibited in the Cloud Recesses.” Wei Wuxian replied automatically as he moved to sit back down. Sizhui and Lan Wangji both joined the man at the table. Wei Wuxian moved to pour tea for Lan Wangji, his sleeve pulling up slightly in the process to reveal a small cloud-shaped mark on his slender wrist. Wangji’s hand darted out quickly, grabbing the younger man’s hand and pushing his sleeve back so that he could see the mark better.
“Wangji!?” Wei Ying questioned, startled. “Careful of the tea.”
Ignoring the ache in his chest at Wei Wuxian calling him ‘Wangji’, the man continued his examination silently.
“A curse mark?” Sizhui asked, leaning forward to look as well.
“Mm.”
Lan Wangji released his husband’s wrist, looking up at him with stern eyes. “Wei Ying, did you go on a Night Hunt while I was away?”
Wei Wuxian cocked his head to the side. “No, I didn’t leave the Cloud Recesses at all.”
Wangji narrowed his eyes, glancing at Sizhui who nodded in confirmation.
“I was with Senior Wei all day yesterday and nothing was wrong. Then when I joined him for breakfast today he was all…” at a loss for words, Sizhui simply gestured to the entirety of Wei Wuxian’s being. “At first, I thought he was sick, but things just kept getting weirder. He didn’t even put chili oil on the food.”
Wei Wuxian gave the boy a soft look, patting his shoulder briefly in a very un-Wei Wuxian like way. “I’m not sick, but it’s kind of you to worry for the health of your seniors, Sizhui.”
The attempted comfort seemed to have the opposite effect, Sizhui silently cringing away from the interaction. Afterall, this was not the boisterous, affectionate man who had helped raise him, but rather someone closer to a stranger.
Whatever had happened to Wei Wuxian, Lan Wangji concluded, it must had happened while inside the Cloud Recesses. The thought left a painful, burning ache in the man’s chest. He had promised Wei Wuxian somewhere safe, somewhere solid and real – a home.
“We will go to the healers.” Lan Wangji decided, standing up.
“Wangji I feel fine, we don’t---”
Unconscionably, Lan Wangji interrupted his husband. “I insist.”
Resigning himself, Wei Wuxian carefully put the teapot away before joining his husband and son. When they arrived at the healers’ rooms, the doctor was distracted writing down some notes and didn’t notice them at first. When he finally looked up, he startled.
“Hanguang-Jun,” he quickly managed a rushed, sloppy, bow, eyes darting between Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian as he did. “How may I assist you?”
“Good afternoon, Lan Daifu,” Wei Wuxian greeted the man. “Apologies for taking up your time, but my husband insists that I’m examined.”
“He has been cursed.” Lan Wangji explained.
“Cursed?” the doctor parroted. “Are you sure?” he asked, uncharacteristically on edge.
Lan Wangji’s eyes narrowed. “Yes.” he replied, sharply.
“Very well,” the doctor nodded, turning to Wei Wuxian. “If I may check your qi?” he asked.
Wei Wuxian held out his wrist without argument; yet another uncharacteristic move.
After a moment the doctor folded his hands together and looked up at Lan Wangij. “His qi is slightly disturbed, but other than that, he is fine.”
Lan Wangji seethed, his aura growing venomous. “He is not fine. He is cursed.”
The doctor took a step back. “Apologies Hanguang-Jun, but I cannot identify anything else wrong. Perhaps someone familiar with the effects of demonic cultivation might know more.”
Sizhui stepped in to save the doctor from whatever backlash that comment was sure to earn him. “If Lan Daifu can’t help, let’s go speak to Zewu-Jun!” he suggested.
Wangji let out a measured breath, his eyes squeezed shut as if all his concentration was going towards not unleashing Bichen on the man. Finally, he nodded. “Mm. Xiongzhang is knowledgeable.”
Wei Ying once again dutifully followed his husband and son, entertaining their fretting despite his own arguments that they shouldn’t disturb Lan Xichen’s seclusion.
Although Xichen seclusion had lasted over a year now, it was not one of total isolation. Lan Wangji visited once every two weeks with his Uncle, and in the past few months Wei Wuxian had started visiting with them as well. Wangji was the first to admit that he was not skilled at cheering people up, but Wei Wuxian’s infectious enthusiasm always brought a gentle smile to Xichen’s face—something that Wangji was eternally grateful to Wei Wuxian for. All this to say that the two brother-in-laws had grown closer recently.
When they arrived at Lan Xichen’s quiet, secluded cottage in the back of the Cloud Recesses, the man answered the door with a warm, but slightly surprised expression. “Wangji, Sizhui, Wei Wuxian?” He watched the three curiously. “Is everything alright?”
After Wei Wuxian, Lan Xichen was probably the best at reading Lan Wangji’s facial expressions, and it was obvious to the man that his younger brother was distressed.
Before anyone could answer, Wei Wuxian bowed deeply to the sect leader. “Zewu-Jun, we apologize for interrupting your seclusion so rudely.” he stated, earnestly.
“Wei Wuxian? I—It is fine.” Xichen stumbled through his words, looking between Wei Wuxian’s still bowing form and his husband behind him who looked even more concerned than before.
Ever blunt and to the point, Lan Wangji simply explained; “Xiongzhang, Wei Ying has been cursed.”
Wei Wuxian straightened, letting out a soft sigh. “I truly feel fine.” he pointed out, hopelessly.
Lan Wangji pursed his lips. “Wei Ying. Who am I?” he asked.
Both Xichen and Wei Wuxian blinked in confusion. Finally, Wei Wuxian answered. “You are my husband, Lan Wangji. Hanguang-Jun to the cultivation world.”
Lan Wangji looked to Xichen, imploringly. As if the other man should understand something that he wasn’t understanding right now.
Sizhui piped up. “Senior Wei! How did you adopt me?” he asked.
“You were orphaned and I took care of you along with the other Wen.” He answered, easily.
“No!” Sizhui argued. “You’re supposed to laugh and say that you grew me in the radish patch!”
Wei Wuxian frowned at this. “Lying is forbidden. And it is impossible to grow a human being in a garden.”
Finally, Xichen seemed to feel as unnerved as Wangji and Sizhui at Wei Wuxian’s strange behavior. “I see.” he hummed. “Come inside.” Xichen offered, moving from the doorway.
“Wangji, you said this is a curse?” Xichen questioned.
“Mn. There is a curse mark. His wrist.”
Xichen turned to the man in question. "May I see?”
Once again, Wei Wuxian held out his arm. Xichen nodded in thanks before turning to look at the curse mark that had his brother so worried.
Wangji knew his brother would not have no reaction to the mark like the doctor had, but he certainly had not expected the way Xichen’s eyes had widened instantly, his breath catching as his grip tightened around Wei Wuxian’s wrist.
“No..” the man muttered to himself, shaking his head. “…they didn’t… he wouldn’t…”
Wangji surged forward, gripping his brother’s upper arm. “Xiongzhang, tell me.” he demanded.
“He- it…” Xichen would only shake his head, releasing his iron grip on Wei Wuxian’s wrist. “It is a curse.” the man finally announced.
“We know this.” Wangji growled, losing patience.
Finally, Lan Xichen met his brother’s eyes, confusion and worry replaced with guilt and sadness. “Wangji, it is the result of an ancient Lan array.”
Lan Wangji’s unspoken suspicions were confirmed. Someone within the Cloud Recesses had cursed Wei Wuxian.
Through gritted teeth, Wangji managed to reply. “What does it do?”
Xichen glanced at Wei Wuxian, who was watching the interaction with polite, quiet curiosity. “As you might have guessed… it is… behavioral.”
Wangji’s hand was now turning white as it clenched around Bichen’s hilt. “The Elders.” he spat, rage radiating off the man in waves.
Xichen nodded, sadly. “It is an array only the most senior members of the clan are even aware of.”
“Behavioral? What does that mean?” Sizhui asked, his eyes wide and worried.
“He is still Wei Wuxian, and physically he is fine… but he is unable to break any of the Lan Precepts. It is a mental-based array.”
Wangji sucked in a tight breath. “The curse is controlling his mind?” he asked, in disbelief. In one quick motion, Lan Wangji was out the door, storming down the path towards the main area of the Cloud Recesses. Xichen followed his brother out.
“Wangji wait! Where are you going?”
“Unacceptable. Unforgivable.” Wangji hissed.
“Let us discuss this more, Wangji. Don’t do anything rash, please.” Xichen tried to sway the man.
“I will speak with Uncle first. If he was involved in this…”
Xichen nodded slowly. There were many things Wangji could forgive his family for- but harming the one he loved was not one of them.
Lan Wangji did not so much as knock before he entered his uncle’s private office. The man had been reading a book, which he quickly put down to frown up at whoever had barged in unannounced.
“Wangji? What is the meaning of this? Haven’t I taught you better than to interrupt?” Lan Qiren chided the man.
Lan Wangji ignored the man’s complaints, standing imposingly in front of the low desk, refusing to take a seat.
“Were you involved?” he asked, in a low icy tone.
Lan Qiren stood, frowning heavily. “Involved in what? Wangji, you are behaving disgracefully. Explain yourself!” Qiren demanded.
Lan Wangji took a carefully controlled breath. “Wei Ying.” he continued. “Were. You. Involved.”
“Wei Wuxian?” Qiren questioned, and then grew more agitated. “What has that troublesome boy gotten himself into now?”
“He did nothing.” Wangji snapped. “It is what you have done to him.” he accused.
Lan Qiren sputtered in disbelief. “What I--! I have done nothing to Wei Wuxian. Do not make assumptions about others.” the man cited.
“Do not harm the innocent.” Wangji argued back. “Do not bully the weak. Do not take advantage of your position to oppress others.” he continued, growing more agitated.
Qiren shook his head, a wave of exhaustion coming over him. “Do not fight with family, for it does not matter who wins.” He looked at his nephew, taking in how upset the man was. “Wangji, speak plainly. Tell me what has happened with Wei Wuxian.”
At that moment, another elder knocked on the open door, standing in the entryway. “Pardon the interruption, but perhaps I can explain.” He stepped inside, followed by the doctor from earlier and another two elders.
The four men explained, with complete unrepentance, what they had done. After their hopes that Wei Wuxian would calm down after marriage were proven fruitless, and with no end in sight to Lan Xichen’s seclusion, the small self-important group of elders took it upon themselves to decide that the main representative of their clan could not be seen to have such a shameless, disrespectful husband as Wei Wuxian.
The plan had been organized for when Lan Wangji was not in the Cloud Recesses. The array was set, and when Wei Wuxian unsuspectingly entered it, they acted. Part of a successful completion of the array was to read out every regulation which the person would be forced to adhere to. All four thousand rules from the wall of discipline had been recounted and permanently etched into Wei Wuxian’s mind.
When the elder finished speaking, there was the briefest moment of pure, horrified silence before Bichen was at the man’s neck in a flash of light.
“WANGJI!” Lan Qiren yelled, grabbing his nephew’s sword arm. “You cannot attack them!”
“They attacked Wei Ying. Hurt him. Controlled him.” Lan Wangji argued back.
One of the other Elders who had participated scoffed. “Perhaps the Yiling Patriarch now knows what those corpses that he defiles feel like.”
“Lan Rong! Hold your tongue!” Qiren snapped. “Out, all of you who had part in this get out now. We will discuss your transgressions at a later time.”
Lan Wangji was not quite ready to lower his sword, but Lan Qiren gripped his arm harder and muttered “Wangji, please.”
Although those who had harmed his husband were no longer in his sight, Lan Wangji felt no less enraged. His hand twitched towards Bichen as he tried to calm himself.
“I trust you now believe that I had no part in this.” Lan Qiren huffed.
Wangji slowly dragged his gaze over to his uncle. “You did not curse Wei Ying. But you say nothing against the hatred and disrespect towards him. Such an attitude encourages behavior like this.”
Lan Qiren pursed his lips, holding back his own words. “Wangji, let us not argue about this now. We can discuss your accusations after dealing with Wei Wuxian’s condition.”
Lan Wangji turned away from his uncle. “I do not require Shufu’s help. Xiongzhang and I will fix this.” He turned to glance at the man over his shoulder before adding. “Once Wei Ying is well, do not expect us to return to the Cloud Recesses again.”
With those final words, Lan Wangji swept out of the room, leaving his uncle in stunned silence.