lastjinstanding | Brothel meme continued

Lan Zhan thought over Yuan's concern for a few moments, unconcerned with the quiet. For some it was unnerving when the powerful man went silent like this, but for others- particularly those who have worked with him- they knew he was being careful.

"Be righteous. Always stand with justice. Protect the weak. Help the poor. The rest.. will come. You went for help when Jingyi needed it even though you were unfamiliar with this place and were afraid. You've been brave to come here and have been willing to let us get to know you. Even though you're in a vulnerable position, you keep showing concern for Jin Ling's safety and well-being."

He picks up his teacup and takes another sip. "I've seen no mistakes."

Edited 2021-08-25 23:58 (UTC)

Yuan waits nervously for his response, listening quietly when it comes. He's silent for a long moment, gathering his thoughts, though it's clear Lan Zhan has no problem with that so he doesn't feel the need to rush.

"Thank you," he says eventually "That's... that's very reassuring. I will continue to try and follow your guidance."

Even after he learns more, he thinks as a foundation those things are pretty important, he can continue to live by those words.

There's a knock at the door, then, from a servant bearing a tray with food - for both of them, of course.

Underneath all of the power of his position and the calm of his trained demeanor, Lan Zhan is fretting. The truth was, he doesn't know what he's doing. He's never had a youth come to the Lan clan so late and certainly not one with such a background. He feels his inexperience with being a father and keeps looking to his own but not finding any helpful answers. All the memories from his uncle seem cruel now in his older, wiser age.

What would Wei Ying do here? He would've found a way to make the boy laugh and be at ease, but Lan Zhan doesn't know how to do that. Instead the pockets of silence drag on which are normally comforting to him but he worries they aren't to Yuan. Should he be giving him more concrete answers? He can't possibly give the young man the precepts his first night here and expect him not to crumble. Once upon a time, he would've but he's learned from his husband's point of view how intimidating those are.

He's grateful when the food arrives. At least he could go play his qin while.. he blinks in confusion when he opens the door and sees there's too much food for one person. He opens his mouth to protest but is quick to realize what's happened. He looks toward the dining hall and shakes his head.

He joins Yuan again and just before he starts to eat, he turns and opens the hidden compartment in the floor. He takes out the jar of peppers and sets it in front of Yuan. "Our food can taste bland to some outsiders."

Yuan feels a flicker of guilt when Lan Zhan opens up that compartment, but he holds his breath as well, hoping that they didn't leave anything out of place.

He smiles a little, though, when he realises why the peppers are being given, and shakes his head.

"I'm never going to complain about food." He says softly "it's hot, it's fresh and it looks good, it already beats any number of meals I've had." Or haven't had. Even after the steady meals of the Golden Hare, he hasn't ever quite forgotten what it's like to go hungry.

Still, he does add a little, since La Zhan went to the trouble of getting it out for him, and he does actually like spicy food, it always makes him feel at home for some reason.

In truth, he doesn't look at the compartment much. It is Wei Wuxian's mostly since his husband moved in. It seemed only right with the man having to live here in Cloud Recesses that he get some private place to hide all the naughty things he liked to do that didn't follow their rules. You know, when he wasn't just flaunting disobeying following their rules down the street making everyone cringe. He'd been reluctant to let Wuxian get rid of the black bottles though, even when he'd finished drinking their contents so they'd compromised on Wei Ying refilling the bottles already in there or using them for other things. Sometimes Lan Zhan's emotions didn't always make sense, but he was glad he was supported nonetheless.

"There will always be plenty here. Eat however you need. We get more in town every few months." After that, he was quiet while he ate. He was pleased Yuan felt welcome enough to use the peppers but didn't feel he had to go overboard.

When they were finished, he finally spoke again. "Would you care for a walk before bed?" He asks. It was better than sitting around with nervous energy waiting for his husband to arrive. He had an idea of what might make Yuan feel better.

The food was good- simple, and yes a little bland, but good quality and well made and he was more than happy to eat his fill. The added kick from the peppers was nice, but he definitely would have been perfectly content even without it.

The offer makes him pause for a moment, because he is a little nervous about going back out there, but also the place is beautiful and he'd like to get to know it and he didn't just want to sit here awkwardly, so after a moment of deliberation, he nods.

"A walk sounds lovely."

The walk is relatively quiet as is most things around Lan Zhan. Instead of going toward the buildings and giving Yuan a tour, he goes the opposite further into the mountains. He does point out where the path splits to go to the cold springs before taking a different route.

Eventually they find themselves in a small clearing with a donkey grazing nearby and a hill full of glistening white rabbits. Here, Lan Zhan sits and picks up one of them to pet, giving Yuan a small smile. He offers the one in his hand to Yuan.

Yuan flushes when Lan Zhan points out the route that goes to the cold springs, but he nods, commiting this part of the path to memory - he never wants to repeat what happened earlier. At least he wasn't traumatised by the view, he's seen his share of naked old men before.

When they step out into the clearing and Yuan realises he's been taken to the rabbits Jingyi told him about, his eyes widen in wonder and he gasps - there's so many more than he was expecting and they all look adorable!

"Thank you," he whispers, taking the rabbit gently and holding it cradled in his arm so he can pet it softly. Suddenly all his worries don't seem so bad.

Lan Zhan is quiet for a while as all the rabbits seem to come out from wherever they were resting to sit around him. A few brave or curious ones also circle around Yuan, finding his presence also pleasantly calm. His scent is stronger with some of the lingering perfumes of Lanling on him, which keep a few of the more shy bunnies away.

Stroking a rabbit's forehead with his finger, he begins to talk quietly. "If one of the kits were to get scared and nip my finger should I blame it? Did it do anything wrong? It doesn't haven't experience yet just instinct. And if you look at it from my point of view, a tiny cut on my hand is such a minor injury. I've been to war. I've watched loved ones die. I've watched this very place that I love burn. What real pain do I feel from something so trivial?"

His gaze turns from the rabbit to Yuan. "You're like one of these rabbits, Yuan. You might see a cut or a spot of blood but I see a little white rabbit learning to trust and relying on whatever instinct he has. This is not a bad thing and it's not costing me what you think it is. Be patient and be at peace, Little Rabbit.

Yuan listens carefully, thinking at first that it's just some philosophical musing, or perhaps advice on staying calm should one of the rabbits nibble or startle, it's not until Lan Zhan looks up at him and continues that he realises what the older man is trying to say.

"Oh," he says softly, looking up from his own rabbit to stare at Hanguang Jun with wide eyes, like it's finally sinking in the love and care and patience this man has for him, immediately and without question. A father's love.

"I understand. Thank you... a-die." It's cautious, testing out the word to see how it feels, if it's right, yet.

It warms his heart to see how well his words work to soothe whatever worries might have been lingering with his son. He'd seen how he'd reacted to the mention of the cold springs and it was such a stupid thing to worry about. His uncle was being a fool and should never have treated his sweet Little Rabbit so roughly. He wishes he'd been there for all of Yuan's fearful or sad moments so he could wipe away the tears and hold him. It breaks his heart that he wasn't, but he could try and make up for some of it now.

His smile grows and he drops his gaze with a slight bashfulness at the name. Was the Chief Cultivator allowed to feel giddy? He isn't used to having such strong feelings around anyone other than his husband (obviously, not the same kind of feelings). Who knew there would be two people in this world who could bring out this side of him?

"You're welcome, érzi."

Unfortunately, it isn't too long before they have to return to Lan Zhan's room. It's forbidden to be out walking around at night, after all. He offers his bed to Yuan but a small cot has been brought in and set along the wall adjacent to his desk where he plays his qin. Whichever Yuan feels most comfortable, especially given it's clear the older of the two is following the strict bedtime. (Though he does give Yuan a few books and leaves his qin out in case he doesn't want to sleep right away).

Yuan feels a lot more content when they return to the Jingshi, there are still worries of course - especially about Jin Ling - but he feels much more stable knowing he has Hanguang Jun on his side, and much more confident that the older man is on his side.

He can't possibly bring himself to take Hanguang Jun's bed so he insists on the cot, saying a polite good night. He isn't particularly sleepy, so he entertains himself with one of the books (not wanting to disturb him with playing) until he finally falls asleep.

It's late at night when Wei Wuxian returns, shedding his bloodied robes and tucking them out of sight. He spends a moment just watching his son sleep before kissing him lightly on the forehead and slipping through to wrap himself around his husband.

Lan Zhan wrinkles his nose slightly. Smoke, sweat, some other unsavory scents mix together to greet him but underneath it all he finds his husband and he smiles.

"You're home," he murmurs in a groggy tone, curling in against the other man's chest. He is slower to open his eyes than usual, it had been a long trek back and Jingyi had taken quite a bit of his energy that day. When he finally gets his eyes open, he leans in to steal a sleepy kiss, pleased to have his husband near again. "Everything go alright?"

"Yes," he agrees quietly, giving his husband a soft, affectionate kiss on the forehead, though he smiles when Lan Zhan gives him a proper kiss in turn.

"Not really," he admits "there was an attempt on Jin Ling's life. I'll tell you the full story in the morning, but Song Lan got to him and held them off until we arrived. Jiang Cheng has gone back with him. He's alive, but injured."

He thinks it will be fine, and he doesn't intend on giving their son all the details, but he's still a little concerned.

"Also you will never believe what I walked in on when I went to get Cheng."

"Song Lan?" Wangji blinks as his mind becomes more fully awake. Just how bad must have this attempt on Jin Ling's life been for a cultivator just passing by to have witnessed it? It certainly couldn't have been another case of poisoning. His expression is even more distraught than Wuxian may expect from the news about In Ling being injured- not that he wouldn't have been concerned, but Lan Zhan looks heartsick at the news.

Sadly, there wasn't anything that could be done. He'd have to get more details in the morning and preferably away from Yuan first. He didn't dare ask for more now when there was always a chance the boy might overhear. There was a wooden curtain in between them but the Jingshi was technically just one long room.

He gives Wuxian a curious look at the change of tone though. "Your brother? What?"

Wuxian nods, but his thoughts are the same as his husband's - Yuan is too close, there's too much of a risk of their conversation waking him. Tomorrow, he'll tell Lan Zhan everything.

In the meantime, though, he has far more entertaining news to share, and honestly he'd rather make some fun of his brother than think about what had happened to his nephew.

"Jiang Cheng was blind drunk, for one thing, he had to use his core to burn it off because he could barely walk straight, which might be why it happened in the first place, but," he gives the appropriate dramatic pause "I walked in on him and Huaisang in a state of undress, clearly just having.. you know. In his main hall. On a table."

The poor Lan is positively scandalized! His eyes widen in shock, covering his mouth his his hand, and he blushes terribly at the provocative news. If he wasn't normally so quiet, he'd be speechless. In Lan Zhan's case, he might not speak again for a month! Jiang Cheng did what?! With who?! Where?! He is going to faint just like Jingyi!

Wuxian is going to need to wait a minute, his husband's brain just broke.

Look, Wei Wuxian was traumatised by the sight, he was, but it was so worth it for that look on his husband's face. He wishes it wasn't night so he could see it better. His shoulders shake with silent laughter at how utterly scandalised Lan Zhan is right now.

"Huaisang!" He hisses "and Jiang Cheng!"

It's ridiculous enough to be funny, now.

Except that it also makes a weird amount of sense, because other than being a man, Huaisang actually kind of does meet all of Jiang Cheng's extreme list of requirements.

"B- but there are people.." Lan Zhan sputters before balking again at the idea. No, he cannot get over this idea! Although he is being a hypocrite because haven't the two of them done it places they could technically get caught too? They did it totally sober (most of the time)!

He slowly moves his hand from his mouth to his chest. He still.. looks totally like an old lady who just had her bum pinched. In fact, he's doing a pretty good impression of Lan Qiren!

"I thought he always looked down on us for.. being together," he finally manages with a little more thought behind it.

Wuxian doesn't comment on the hypocrisy, mostly because he thinks if he draws attention to it, Lan Zhan might stop having sex with him in interesting places.

(Not that they'd ever been that interesting, the main hall was a bit too risky even for him)

"I don't think he ever had a problem with that, as such," Wuxian admits "he was just grumpy about us being.. actually I don't know, I always thought he was just jealous of how disgustingly happy we are."

He pauses to think about it.

"I never thought he'd go for a man himself, though."

It is scary how well Wuxian knew his husband! Although, as much as Lan Zhan might threaten that, he's never once been able to say no to the man- neither of them has. It helps that they both have some semblance of modesty, which Lan Zhan originally thought Jiang Cheng also possessed. Clearly, he was wrong! How disgraceful! He'll never be able to look at that man.. or that table the same way again.

His frown deepens as he thinks over the jealousy angle. He could see it, though he does feel bad that their happiness would cause someone else pain. "Wei Ying, did you talk to him? Did he tell you why he canceled the wedding? It would've been reasonable and well within his right to request everyone give him and his household another day to prepare and clean up after the incident, but it is very unusual for a groom to send everyone home like he did. With how much he cherishes his reputation, this was a black mark." And to drink like that? .. And then screw a man, even if that 'man' was Huaisang..

Something didn't feel right.

"I didn't really have time," Wei Ying admits "we had to get moving right away and he was too busy sobering up during the journey, and then after... it just didn't come up."

It is strange of him to act like that, though, Jiang Cheng was a passionate man with a temper but he rarely did anything quite so drastic, not in public at any rate.

"Wait..." he says slowly, realisation beginning to dawn "Oh, A-Cheng..."

It's incredibly rare for him to refer to his little brother in such a way, but it seems called for now.

He watches his husband's face, wondering just what connections he was making and if they were the same ones he was finding. He doesn't want to pry though. He has a brother that's dear to his heart and that bond feels sacred- and with the Lan's anything sacred should be given a wide berth.

Instead, he tugs the man closer, drawing him more on top of him. It is like he's offering to be somewhere his husband can rest upon. Something they've quietly done hundreds of times before. He stays quiet, giving Wuxian a chance if he wants to say more, but not pushing him.

He leans into that closeness, just enjoying it as he puts the pieces together in his head before he actually speaks.

"I don't know exactly why the wedding was called off, though I suspect the drama had something to do with it," he says softly "but making a fuss like that, kicking everybody out... he did it to draw attention to him. To make it his scandal, rather than Jin Ling's. He did it to protect our nephew...."

It's only speculation, really, but he's so sure he's right.

As he suspected, this wonderful man just needed some time to think. He realizes he was thinking about Jiang Chang's fiancé, not Jin Ling, but Wuxian's theory made more sense.

".. he gave up his marriage not just the wedding for this too?" He asks, amazed at that level of sacrifice. No wonder the man needed a few drinks. "It does make you wonder if he wanted the marriage." What would he have risked if the options were between Wei Wuxian and now his son? It hurt just to even consider it.

"Can your silencing talismans effect an area or does it have to be a sealed room?" He asks, lowering his voice even further. Such as, could it silence the area on this side of that wooden curtain?

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