After how many bottles of wine, bowls of good food, and hours of great conversation, Huaisang successfully earns, not a chuckle, but a real uncharacteristically hearty laugh out of Wanyin. He knew it! He knew this man who was as pretty as cherry blossoms and as sweet as fresh summer plums was a cut sleeve! Wait till he tells.. well, no one. He doesn't have anyone who would care, but he's pleased to death to know he's right at least.

His laugh dies down after a moment and he shakes his head. "I'm sorry, Huaisang," he says, genuinely, reaching out and giving his free hand a light pat. "He's busy being a wife to someone else. I do hope you find someone else who you admire even half as much."

Remind him to push Wuxian in the river next time he sees him.. just because.

~~~

Whenever Yuan wakes it would be to the steady sound of hoof beats and the rock of the large, modest carriage. One of the older disciples had taken over the reigns, giving Lan Zhan the chance to move back to check on the boys.

Now he sits quietly with them while all the lads sleeping as he'd encouraged Zizhen to rest. He's watching over them technically, but at the moment, he's staring out the gap in the curtain in the back of the carriage at the sky with a pensive look.