By the time the two come back toward the Jingshi, they're both smiling brightly and Jingyi's eyes are a little misty. They're getting ready to settle on the porch to relax when they see coming up the path not one but two Jade brothers with damp hair.

The significance of this will obviously be lost on Yuan, but this is one of very few times Xichen has been seen since he went into isolation. He's thinner and more pale, not as warm as he once was. However, Lan Zhan has a hold of his hand. In Xichen's other hand is a sealed letter with a very familiar purple ribbon wrapped around it.

He pauses as he sees how many are sitting on the porch. Lan Zhan notices and whispers a few things to him. They bow to each other and he's given the letter. Xichen retreats and there's an almost imperceptible slump to Lan Zhan's shoulders as he watches his brother go.