"I'm asking because what's best for Yuan might not be what you want." Wuxian says slowly, though he can't help the approving nod he gave that instant response. It's a good sign - both for what he has planned and because he wants his son to be loved that fiercely, the way he is. Yuan deserves that.
"Just... listen to me a moment, Rulan. Remember what we talked about, when you asked what it would mean for him if you bought his freedom? How I mentioned that rumours might get out? If he goes back to Carp Tower with you, if you pay off his debts, those rumours are going to be harder to suppress. Even if you can suppress them, what kind of life would he have? The Jin elders would never accept your relationship with the son of a low-level family, if he can still keep using the Zheng name, and they'd definitely never accept your relationship with a Wen." He pauses for a moment, letting the implications of it all sink in.
"But a Lan? The adopted son of the chief cultivator? A-Yuan could become more than what he's been forced to be. Could become someone that the rest of the cultivation world would accept as your partner, and I know their opinion doesn't matter, believe me I know, but also it does. You're a sect leader, Rulan, you have to care what they think when it comes to things like this," just look at his uncle, this very day "I know it's going to hurt both of you, but please, please, let A-Yuan come home with us."
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"I'm asking because what's best for Yuan might not be what you want." Wuxian says slowly, though he can't help the approving nod he gave that instant response. It's a good sign - both for what he has planned and because he wants his son to be loved that fiercely, the way he is. Yuan deserves that.
"Just... listen to me a moment, Rulan. Remember what we talked about, when you asked what it would mean for him if you bought his freedom? How I mentioned that rumours might get out? If he goes back to Carp Tower with you, if you pay off his debts, those rumours are going to be harder to suppress. Even if you can suppress them, what kind of life would he have? The Jin elders would never accept your relationship with the son of a low-level family, if he can still keep using the Zheng name, and they'd definitely never accept your relationship with a Wen." He pauses for a moment, letting the implications of it all sink in.
"But a Lan? The adopted son of the chief cultivator? A-Yuan could become more than what he's been forced to be. Could become someone that the rest of the cultivation world would accept as your partner, and I know their opinion doesn't matter, believe me I know, but also it does. You're a sect leader, Rulan, you have to care what they think when it comes to things like this," just look at his uncle, this very day "I know it's going to hurt both of you, but please, please, let A-Yuan come home with us."