lastjinstanding | Brothel meme continued

Brothel meme continued

Continued from here

Jin Ling had really hoped he'd have A-Yuan at his side for this, but he didn't blame the sweet man for being ill one bit. In fact, he really enjoyed holding him as they finished traveling up to Lotus Pier. He sends servants off the boat to arrange a discreet delivery of his ill and subdued guest to private chambers following Ling's disembark. He instructed only Fu Geming to carry A-Yuan with Liling.

Sadly, after that, he had to leave his pets in his servants care. Squaring his shoulders, he stepped onto the pier. He bowed humbly to all of his relatives and gave them each a proper greeting- or in Wei Wuxian's case, a cheeky one.

He was brought into the main hall and given the seat next to Jiang Cheng's throne. Wei Wuxian was seated beside him with Lan Wangji at the next seat. And yes, Wangji had been offered the throne but had chosen to stay at Wuxian's side. It was Jiang Cheng's wedding, after all.

Jin Ling is happy sitting to a nice cup of tea and some wine after a long day of travel with promise of dinner coming.

~~~

"Jin-Guniang, is the young master Zheng in this room?" A young, unfamiliar male voice asks. "I have some medicine I wish to offer if you'd announce me."

"Of course. Let me ask for you," Liling says in a warm tone. She knocks on Yuan's door and peeks in. She smiles when she sees him awake. She comes in and shuts the door behind her. "Zheng-gongzi? How are you feeling? A friend of Jin-zongzhu from the Lan Clan is here to offer you some medicine. Would you feel up to seeing him?"

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"Of course," Zizhen says, gently taking the cup and placing it back on the side table. He smiles slightly at the comment about Yuan, both recognising the deflection and the concern.

"Jingyi is still watching over Yuan, he misses you but he's fine and things seem to be going well with his parents. We all decided someone should be here with you, as well..." he pauses, wondering if he should continue, but then decides that there's been too much unsaid because they weren't sure whether or not Jin Ling wanted to hear it "Jin Ling, you're our best friend and we care about you. We're very sorry that things got so bad you didn't feel you could turn to us. We promise we will try to do better in the future."

~~~

"Yes, please." Yuan agrees politely, coming over to kneel in front of Lan Zhan's desk. His gaze strays to the wrapped package curiously but he doesn't ask, not wanting to be nosy.

"What a sweet boy you grew up to be, A-Yuan," Wuxian comments with a wistful sigh. Yuan gives him a soft smile, cheeks colouring a little.

"Thank you." he says hesitantly.

"Speaking of growing up. There's something we wanted to discuss with you, isn't there Lan Zhan?" he prompts his husband.

"I didn't know it was this bad," he admits quietly. He'd thought they just didn't like him and that maybe there had been one or two bad eggs in the mix. To know he'd been leaving among enough soldiers to mutiny and almost kill him and the few loyal disciples who had traveled with him was terrifying. He has no idea how he survived. He just remembers fire, fear, and chaos.

He sighs. "I wouldn't have told you if I did though." Since they were being honest? "I can handle getting killed. I can't handle one of you guys getting killed because of me."

~~~

Lan Zhan spoons out some tea leaves into a cup and pours water from the little kettle on his desk into it. His smile grows at Wuxian's comment, his silent agreement of it.

With his husband's prompting, he gives his partner an appreciative glance. "Yuan, we'd like to give you a courtesy name to go along with you accepting my last name as your own."

Zizhen nods his understanding - Jin Ling wanted to protect them. It makes him feel a little better about agreeing to Wei Wuxian's suggestion that they not send Yuan - Jin Ling would never be able to focus on getting better if he was too worried about Yuan getting hurt.

In fact...

"That's why Yuan didn't come himself," he admits "Wei-qianbei convinced us that he might be a... a weak spot that somebody might try and take advantage of. That it was safer for him back in Cloud Recesses."

Jin Ling ought to know he would have come if that wasn't the case.

"But he's going to become a Lan disciple, I bet, and then he'll be able to get strong enough to protect himself, too, just like me and Jingyi are. You can let us in, you know, I know it's scary but we're all safer if we stick together. If we're apart and not talking to one another, enemies can pick us off one by one, right? It's better to work together. Even your uncle knows that, or he would't have written to Wei-qianbei for help."

~~~

Yuan's eyes widen a little in surprise - courtesy names were something only the gentry really had, or those trying to emulate them, it was the kind of thing that really would make him a proper young master.

"I..." he hesitates, overwhelmed, before nodding "I would be honoured."

He should feel bad about abandoning the Wen name, but he's spent so long hiding it that he mostly just feels relieved (and he thinks he should feel bad about that, too) - now he will be able to give his name, a name that his parents gave him, without fear. He'll be able to give a name without worrying that somebody will find out it isn't his.

"They already tried, Zizhen. 's why I told him to go." He hates that it worked out this way but Yuan's tea was poisoned just like his was. Yuan was attacked by the captain of his guard. He didn't want the protection for himself but he wasn't going to take any more risks with Yuan's life for his sake. What else could he do but send him away?

He wants to argue that Zizhen is annoyingly naïve. There is no 'strong enough to protect himself'. If Jin Ling can't do it with the might of the Jin clan, all of Jin Guangyao's old magic and resources, with having his name attached to the former fucking Yiling Patriarch and Hanguang Jun and Jiang Cheng, then just how the hell was Yuan, Jingyi, or Zizhen supposed to do it?

He closes his eyes as he thinks about the overwhelming odds and how far he's fallen. He had all those advantages and he still sunk to the bottom like the orphaned runt he was. He's just going to be one more weak chain in the Jin dynasty without any significance at all. As the tears betray him no matter how tight he tries to keep his eyes shut, he can barely hear the rest of what Zizhen is saying.

Except..

"Wait, what?" He blinks and looks up. "Jiujiu wrote to Wei-qianbei for help?" He really is dying..

~~~

Lan Zhan tilts his head a bit to the side at the hesitation. He wants to celebrate that Yuan is accepting but, he's too 'Lan' not to read the quiet response too. "We'll help you find ways to honor being a Wen still. You aren't losing that where it matters, just like your baba has never lost his love of his family the Jiang clan. It's not fair, but Wen isn't safe. Neither is Wei. Lan is."

Pause.

"Even if some refuse to take the name." .. is that a smirk on his face and the quickest glance toward his husband?

There's more he wants to say, more about living in fear and doing their best and repeating that bit about being stronger together until he's blue in the face, but he knows that he can't just make a pretty speech now and fix everything - this is real life, not a novel, it's going to take a lot more to prove to Jin Ling that he's right.

This is the start, though, and they can keep proving it, keep showing Jin Ling that they'll be there for him no matter what, that he doesn't have to look over his shoulder all the time because he's got friends who can do it for him, too.

(and when he finds out about Huaisang helping his uncle to ferret out the rest of the plotters, he'll point that out too - that he's got even more people on his side, more skills he can lean on, he just can't do it all by himself)

He nods at the question.

"Mm, there was a charm that he wanted made that he thought would help... something invited by Wen Qing, Wei-Qianbei said."

~~~

"I understand," Yuan says softly, giving his father a gentle, grateful smile for his understanding. "I don't... regret being a Wen, despite knowing how it makes people think of me, but I would be honoured to become a Lan."

Wei Wuxian just grins at his husband.

"I don't care how good you think Lan Wuxian sounds, it's not going to fool anybody for a second so what's the point?" Besides, him taking the Lan name might actually be what finally finishes Lan Qiren off.

"A-Yuan, though, is going to be an excellent Lan."

"Wen Qing?" He frowns. He can't remember who that is but now his uncle was going to through the Wen's stuff for help? His head is going to explode.

He suddenly remembers what an ass he was to chase Wei Wuxian off with Fairy when he kept bothering him about leaving Lotus Pier too fast and winces. "He's not.. he probably won't do it." Not for him. The first time his uncle finally breaks down and asks his sworn brother for aid and Jin Ling's offended the man. Splendid.

~~~

Lan Zhan breathes a soft sound, that just might have been a laugh. After how Yuan was treated earlier, Wangji might not be too upset about Lan Qiren's reaction to Lan Wuxian. (Not really, he'd be distraught losing another family member). "You'd have to follow the rules. It would never work."

Getting back to the important part though- geez, Wuxian, focus. "A-Yuan, tomorrow we'll start your initiation into the Lan discipleship and you'll be sworn to live righteously and learn from our tradition. Some things you'll be tutored individually and others you'll be part of a class. We'll teach you the virtuous ways to live, a proper education, how to master the qin, and cultivation. Is this what you want?"

Zizhen nods, though it had taken him a second to place the name as well.

"I think she was the ghost general's sister?" he says, if he's remembering his history right.

The comment makes him huff a laugh though - not meanly, but there's something fond and slightly exasperated about it.

"He already did it, Jin Ling, that's why I'm here, I brought it with me from Cloud Recesses."

~~~

"True," Wuxian agrees, smiling impishly - it fades into something more serious, though, when his husband turns back to their son.

"Yes," Yuan says without hesitation - it's daunting, yes, and he's terrified he's going to mess it up, but it's everything he's ever wanted. It's not only the life he always dreamed about living as a child, not only the chance to become a cultivator, to make more of himself, but it's also the path back to Jin Ling's side - if he can become a good disciple, a proper young master, he can return to him without inviting scandal. He can learn how to protect himself so he isn't a burden.

"This is what I want."

The ghost general had a sister? Oh right, he did! They referred to her by all sorts of things around here but not usually 'Wen Qing'. He feels a little guilty at some of the terms that come to mind, but it's what he grew up hearing.

Ling blinks up at Zizhen with his jaw falling open. "He already did?" What? He what? He.. wow, Jin Ling really owes him an apology.. and a thank you. That gets a little amused smile out of him. Ha ha.. very clever uncle. Guess he was finally going to say it to the man. He actually has owed that to Wei-Qianbei for a while now. Although, now that he's thinking about it, he owes at least one of those to someone else. "Thank you, Zizhen. For bringing that and.. everything."

~~~

Lan Zhan nods and his smile grows just a little more obvious. He picks up the present and hands it to him. "Then wear this with pride, Lan Yuan, Sizhui." Inside, he'll find a head ribbon with a silver cloud piece just like the one his a-die is wearing and what he saw briefly, his uncle too. "These ribbons are special and personal among us and a symbol of our discipline. They should always be worn, kept clean, straight, and no one but you, your parents, or your spouse should ever touch it."

"That's what friends are for, Ling." Zizhen tells him honestly. "I'll be sticking around for a few days, if you don't mind? Die isn't expecting me back for a week anyway."

He pauses, then, clearly something on his mind, because he feels like he can't contain it any longer. He leans forward, grinning.

"Can I tell you a secret?"

~~~

Lan Yuan. Sizhui. Lan Sizhui

That's his name.

A little dazed from that alone, he opens the package, gasping at the pristine ribbon inside. He looks up nervously, listening to his father's explanation of the gift he's just been given.

"Thank you, a-die." he says, soft and heartfelt. Wuxian dies a little bit, hearing his son call Lan Zhan that for the first time (since he wasn't present when he called him it before), and he clutches his husband's arm gleefully.

Yuan lifts the ribbon reverentially, biting his lip nervously before looking up at his fathers, uncertain if he should ask what he's about to, but feeling like it's important to do it anyway.

"Would you... would you tie it on for me?"

He said parents could touch it, right? And if Lan disciples usually started much, much younger, he's willing to be that the parent was usually the first person to tie the ribbon in place for a young disciple. His father had never had that opportunity, so Yuan wanted to give it to him now.

He feels some relief finding out Zizhen isn't in any hurry to leave. As much as he may have been doubting the people around him, he's so relieved to know one of his closest friends will be watching over him for a few days. He can rest easier knowing the person taking care of him isn't his exhausted uncle too.

He smirks at the question. "I think I've shown I can do a pretty good job keeping secrets. What's going on Ouyang-xiong?" He wishes he could curl up against the other young man but he doesn't have the energy to move.

~~~

Lan Zhan's hand goes over Wuxian's hands tightly. He never thought he'd get to name a child unless it was his brother's and he was allowed to help with the courtesy name. To do it for his own child? It didn't matter that Yuan was so much older than when he would normally get a name like this.

At the sweet request, Lan Zhan thinks he may just burst. How did they end up with such a wonderful life after so much dark? He says the only thing he can say and it's only a repeat of what Yuan has just said, "I'd be honored."

He gets up and carefully smooths out the ribbon. He shows him where on the tip his name is sewn- already Lan Sizhui's characters. He steps behind him then and with practiced ease and all the reverence in the universe, he places the ribbon around his son's head and ties a knot. He leans in and presses a soft kiss to the top of Sizhui's head. "My érzi." His gaze shifts to Wuxian over Sizhui's head. "My heart." His perfect family.

Zizhen chuckles at the joke - he's a little mad at Jin Ling for keeping those secrets from his friends, but he can't deny it's an amusing comment.

It's also hard to be mad when he's so happy about the news he has to share (and about the fact that Ling is awake and talking).

"Jingyi and I kissed," he confides, unable to contain his grin any longer

~~~

Yuan knows he's made the right choice when he sees the expression on his father's face - it's clear Lan Zhan is not a particularly expressive man, but he's starting to pick up the nuance there, starting to understand the depth of emotion that shows in his eyes. It doesn't hurt that Wei Wuxian is smiling fit to burst as well, because he absolutely understands what his husband is feeling in this moment.

He feels a warm glow of happiness inside him at the sight of those characters, of his new name, and he closes his eyes as his father steps behind him, feeling the fabric settle against his forehead for the first time as he breathes out slowly, the significance of the moment feeling almost overwhelming.

Wuxian is crying openly now, looking at his wonderful husband and his wonderful son, and they look so alike despite not being remotely related, and he's just so overwhelmed with joy that he launches himself at both of them and gathers them up in his arms.

Yuan laughs, but he can feel tears in his own eyes as he returns the embrace.

"You did?!" Jin Ling asks shocked as a grin spread across his face. "About damn time! Well, go on tell me the story! Who kissed w- oh who am I kidding? Jingyi did it, didn't he?" He loves his friend, Zizhen, but he's so romantic and passive. It would drive Jin Ling crazy but it just worked for Jingyi.

It makes him crazy jealous to hear because he wants Yuan there where he can kiss, but he's also thrilled for his friends. They deserve happiness as much or even more so than he does.

~~~

Not far from the edge of the porch stands Lan Xichen. The doors are open in the Jingshi and the lights are bright. The whole scene has played out like one beautiful dream. It reminds him of dreams he once had and maybe.. if he looked, he could find again. If his brother after everything he'd been through and suffered could have this, then how could anyone give up hope? How could anyone not do everything in their power to protect this?

He turns with a smile on his face for the first time in years and heads back toward the hall where his uncle lived. Things were going to change. The sect leader had awoken and he knew the very first person he needed to tell to get on board with this or get out of Cloud Recesses. It is someone he should've stood up to on Lan Zhan's behalf a long time ago.

Oblivious and wrapped up in their own joy, Lan Zhan finds himself in tears as well once Wuxian pulls them into an embrace. He quietly confides in Sizhui that his baba is terrible for the Lan clan image, but he's smiling too much for that to be taken too seriously. After that, Lan Zhan plays some music with his husband before switching and letting Sizhui take over on the qi. It's a lovely end before he has retires and lets the other two continue.

He knows Wuxian's going to get out the liquor, so he purposefully goes to bed a little early so he can act pious tomorrow when he says it's forbidden.

Zizhen blushes, but he nods.

"It was Jingyi," he admits, smiling shyly, thinking about that first awkward press of lips fondly. "he kissed me... and then he fainted." he laughs.

It had been terrifying at the time, but it's kind of funny now - and he can guess Jin Ling could probably do with something to laugh about.

~~~

It's almost the perfect end to the day - if only Jin Ling were here to share it, then it would be perfect. Still, it's nice to spend a comfortable, happy evening with the family he never thought he'd have, to play qin with his father.

"Goodnight, a-die," he says with a soft smile when Lan Zhan retires. Wuxian waits all of five minutes before pulling out one of the liquor bottles and grinning at his son.

"Lan Sizhui. You are a good, upstanding Lan boy who does not drink," he intones "....starting tomorrow." he grins, pulling out two cups.

"So have a drink with your baba before you have to start behaving, hmm?"

Yuan laughs lightly, joining his father at the table.

He regrets it, a little, the next morning when he has to rise at five am, but the nervous excitement means he's not as tired as he should be as he ties his new ribbon in place and turns his attention to the pristine white Lan robes that have been laid out for him.

Edited 2021-09-03 22:34 (UTC)

"He what?!" Jin Ling laughs and is horrified at the same time. "What happened? Damn, leave it to the romantic to kiss that good. What's your secret? I've never kissed well enough to make someone faint but I've blissed out a former prostitute." With all that experience, that had to take some talent, didn't it?

If he was thinking clearer, he would not be talking like this about his lover but.. he was a guy and he likes to brag and it was just Zizhen so.. he gets a weak, but cheeky grin.

"So when he woke up did you kiss him next? I'm assuming he woke up or you wouldn't be here telling me this story like this."

~~~

Every day means every day. But apparently, it didn't mean last night. It was going to take a while before Lan Zhan was willing to do anything more than a few chaste kisses anywhere near their son again Wuxian learned when he finally went to bed.

The next morning, Lan Zhan is awake even before the bells. No one would be able to see it, but he has a similar nervous excitement deep within. His son was becoming a disciple today. He is there ready when Lan Sizhui rises. He comes out with two of his own robes and a lantern. "Come," he says with a quiet smile. He takes Sizhui down the dark winding path down toward where his uncle, unfortunately had yelled at him.

That gets a blush and a light bat on his shoulder and a shocked "Jin Ling!" but it does also get a slightly impressed look in Zizhen's eyes - he's not surprised, though, he's willing to bet it's better when it's with someone you love, and he saw the way Yuan looked at Jin Ling.

"The secret is for them to have a concussion before you kiss them," he admits sheepishly "and be tired out from crying... okay so when I add those details it's not very romantic, but it still happened. I kissed him when he woke up... um... we actually... well we were at the Jingshi and I put him in Hanguang Jun's bed to rest, so... we were kissing there and then Hanguang Jun came back." he explains with another rueful laugh.

"It was so embarrassing!"

~~~

Yuan glances back at the waiting robes, but his father doesn't seem inclined to wait for him to dress and he's only wearing a couple of layers himself, so he throws on yesterday's outer robe and follows him. He recognises where they're going when they veer down the other path and his steps falter.

"Are.. are you sure?" he asks, wondering what this is all about. He continues to follow, of course, but there's a hesitance until he gets reassurance about it. He's not entirely sure the significance of what they're doing, although the pre-dawn light and the hushed quiet of Cloud Recesses around them certainly makes it feel significant.

He laughs, though it kind of hurts to do it. "Sorry! Don't tell him I said that!" Not that Yuan would likely get embarrassed exactly but he deserved to be treated better than that. Still, there was a wistful grin for just a moment remembering.. wishing. He'd never have that again probably. Yuan was going to forget about him before too long, he was sure.

"Crying? Why was he.. aww, Zizhen!" He laughs again. "That sounds pitiful! What did you do to him?! Okay that part with Hanguang Jun is my favorite part. What did he do? Can you try and make his face?" They both knew Lan Wangji's face probably barely moved, which was half the joke.

"I'm glad you two are finally doing stuff. I've been rooting for you for a while now."

~~~

"No one will be about," he reassures when Yuan looks concerned about what he's wearing. The outer robe though, is met with a nod of approval.

As Sizhui recognizes the path, Lan Zhan pauses and nods encouragingly. "You belong here. I'm with you, don't be afraid." Once at the very end of the path, he shows Sizhui where to place the folded robes. "These are the cold springs, sacred to our clan. They help us channel our golden core through discipline and numbing other senses till only it remains. As you build your core, the heat will protect you from the water becoming too dangerous for you to be in long. As of right now, you'll only be in a short time. Even briefly though, the waters have a cleansing, healing power for both the body and the spirit. Whenever I feel unbalanced and need help recentering, cleansing, or healing I return here."

He tugs on the cord of his own robe and slowly slip it off, folding each layer as he goes. "You're leaving your old life behind today. I hope this will help you feel that fresh start." He gives his son a smile when he's down to his inner layer. "Join me, when you feel comfortable enough." He steps into the water and very careful draws his robes up as he sinks lower until his waist covered. He then takes the robe off and with a gesture the fabric floats from his hand back to the pile, folding itself.

Giving his son privacy, whether he feels the need or not, Lan Zhan turns his back and continues to the center of the springs.

Chuckling, Zizhen holds up three fingers to indicate a promise - he wouldn't embarrass Yuan by bringing up such a thing anyway.

"It wasn't me!" he protests "Yuan just told a-" he breaks off, wincing suddenly and looking hesitant, but he knew Jin Ling would never let him leave it like that, so he clears his throat awkwardly and carries on.

"Yuan told a story about something bad that happened to him, when he was younger, and Jingyi... he got sad about it, and you, about all the friends we hadn't been able to protect, you know? He calmed down quickly enough, but he just got a little overwhelmed."

He does his best impression of Hanguang Jun's face, hoping to distract Jin Ling with laughter, and then blushes at the comment, ducking his head.

"Were we that obvious?"

~~~

A dip in the cold, refreshing waters is probably just what his (very slight, honestly) hangover needs, it will help him feel awake and ready for the day, and he appreciates the ritual of it as well - as though he can wash away his past before putting on his new Lan robes for the first time.

Not all of his past, though. He looks at the ring he's still wearing, the one that Jin Ling gave him, and rubs a thumb over it with a soft sigh. He'll never let go of that part of his life, even if he has to put it aside for a little while.

He strips off the inner layer of robes and steps slowly into the pond, gasping at the icy water. He moves quickly, and a little ungracefully, to submerge himself a little more before he stops, the water up to his waist, and tries to control his stuttering breaths.

Once he feels ready, he sinks a little further into the water, letting his hair fan out behind him and trying to imagine all the ugly parts of his life floating away.

Jin Ling is able to navigate all of this, even talking about Yuan who he believed he would never get to see or hold again, but Zizhen takes the topic one step further than he can go and he goes deadly silent. He stares at his friend as a hatred boils within him that was thankfully not directed at the man in front of him.

"Who? I want a name. Call.. Liling! Liling! Get in here! Was he at the Golden Hare? What happened? I'm going to burn that place to the ground!" He rages, but as he struggles he can barely even sit up.

Fairy lifts her head and watches her master, as though seeing if this was really a threat or is he just making noise. He looks like he's just making a bunch of noise.

~~~

Sizhui was going to learn his A-die could almost be creepy good at predicting needs sometimes. A night of drinking with his husband? He's actually really impressed his son was able to wake up this morning at all and didn't have to be carried down here. This morning was turning out to be much more satisfying than predicted, though he was hoping still helpful.

So far his back has been covered by his hair mostly, like a rich, black cape. He says, "Always remember no matter how pious people act here or who appear as though they are above you, we all have needed these waters to help us." He draws his hair over one shoulder, without looking back. He has never invited anyone to look at his scars before, but of anyone who might need to see the marks of punishment on the most powerful man's back it just might be his son.

"Don't let anyone look down on you and hold your head high!" He says, finally turning and looking his son in the eye.

"Jin Ling!" Zizhen says, head shooting up in panic. He reaches out to hold him down "Calm down, don't make yourself worse! We don't know who it was, he didn't tell us."

He is very glad he didn't mention the fact that the story had started with Yuan mentioning how the encounter had left a scar, because he's pretty sure nothing in the world would have stopped Jin Ling getting up after hearing that. He realises it's possible that Jin Ling has seen the scar, but he doesn't know for sure.

"Trust me, if we ever find out who it was, me and Jingyi will be right there with you." He assures firmly.

~~~

Yuan covers his mouth to try and muffle his gasp when he sees the scars snaking across his father's back. He remembers Jingyi talking about his scars, as well, and he makes him panic a little, remembering the pain of the whip that had left the thin white lines down his own back, currently hidden by his hair just as his father's had been.

He wonders what the perfect Hanguang Jun could possibly have done to earn such a punishment, but he doesn't dare ask - he understands it must be difficult enough for him to share them, he doesn't need to make him talk about them too. He thinks he understands the point being made, though - everybody makes mistakes, everybody has a history, the face they present to the world doesn't mean that's who they are underneath.

It's a lesson he knows well - he's met many a fine, upstanding citizen who paid good money to do terrible things to him - but the reminder is useful, the knowledge that these people are not automatically better than him.

He has just as much right to be here as anyone else.

"Thank you, a-die." he says calmly.

"Great then I'll just kill the bitch who owns the place! How dare she let anything bad happen to him!" He cries, without even knowing what the story is. He twists his arm and his whole body stiffens as pain lances through him. He clutches his bandaged shoulder and lets out a shout.

A few moments later, the servant girl who had been with him at Lotus Pier comes rushing into the room. She sees him holding his arm. "Oh dear! It's the burn! Please, help me hold him steady. I have to give him more salve. The skin is so raw!"

She gets out some supplies and hurries over to the opposite side of the bed that Zizhen was on. "Just hold his chest down. It's painful when I touch it." She hands over a knotted cord for Jin Ling to bite on. The young sect leader is starting to panic both because of how painful his arm is and knowing what's coming. "Will you need more help?"

~~~

Lan Zhan sees the fear on the young man's face and shakes his head. "These are never to be used as punishment like they were with me again. As my son, your punishments, so long as you listen will consist of kneeling, recopying passages in our scripts, and chores. You'll never be left in the snow and you'll never be whipped. The door will always open for you."

Even if.. technically, Lan Sizhui doesn't know what that really meant, it was a promise nonetheless.

He doesn't make Sizhui stay too much longer. It really is frigid, especially at this time of the morning. He has the young man dress in one of the fresh robes he brought for him, so he's not putting on the same clothes he came down in. It's sort of tedious, because once they get back to the Jingshi, he has to undo those robes to put on his new robes, but whatever. At least there is hot tea and hot congee for breakfast.

Also while he's doing that, Lan Zhan teaches him how a proper gentleman lets a servant (or parent) help him dress modestly and then he affectionately brushes out Sizhui's hair, letting his own get a little curl to it as he takes too long to put it up in braids. However, he looks to be enjoying dolling his son up far too much to care about that.

"Jin Ling!" Zizhen protests again, wincing as he cries out.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have - I'm sorry," he apologises, to both the servant girl and Jin Ling, though while the girl is getting supplies he whispers "That's Liling, right?" just to be on the safe side, since Jiang Cheng had mentioned only she was allowed to bring him food and drink, and he imagined applying salve was probably included too.

"No, I'll be fine," Zizhen says, taking Jin Ling's hand for a moment and giving it a reassuring squeeze "You can do this, Jin Ling, you're stronger than this, right? Remember that time with the measuring snake?"

He keeps talking, reminiscing about an old nighthunt while he pressed his hand firmly on Jin Ling's chest to hold him down, trying to keep him calm and distracted.

~~~

He's reassured by the promise he won't be whipped, trusting his father to be telling the truth - it feels nice to be able to trust people.

The cold spring was exactly as refreshing as he thought it would be, but he's glad to get out of it and back up to the warmth of the Jingshi. It's a comforting morning ritual to let his father help him get ready and it feels nice.

Wuxian graces them (briefly) with his presence once Yuan is dressed, appearing from the other side of the screen to sleepily fawn over how their son looks like a proper Lan disciple and how he looks so graceful and grown up. There are more tears and he nearly messes up Yuan's hair kissing him on the forehead and giving him a hug.

Then he gives his husband a kiss and stumbles back to bed.

Yuan takes a deep breath, turning to his father after smoothing out his robes again.

"Do I look ready?"

Jin Ling nods at the question in between tears. He hates everything about life right now, but he can at least remember that much.

Unfortunately as the bandages get peeled back, Zizhen gets to see the source of Jin Ling's condition. He has catharized puncture wound with surrounding burn tissue that keeps getting infected. As Liling applies the salve, Jin Ling howls with pain. Of course, he doesn't have much in the way of strength, so it isn't that hard- especially with even a little spiritual energy- to hold him down.

Sadly, by the end, he's gone unconscious again.

~~~

Lan Zhan melts over the kiss he's given and gets teary again watching how sweet his husband is with his son. He's never been so happy! So little of it shows on his face, but Sizhui was learning the cues. Not much had to.

"You look handsome," he replies. He gestures to the qin and tells him to play, knowing Wuxian can sleep through anything. He gets himself ready now that his son is perfect, not having down anything but the bare minimum before. As he's finishing the last of his braids, the other two members of their family arrive, though they don't enter. They both know how late Wuxian sleeps in.

"A-Yuan, it's time," he says.

Zizhen watches with horrified fascination as Liling applies the salve, holding Jin Ling in place gently but firmly. It looks awful, and he's not sure how he's going to tell Jingyi and Yuan about this without them both panicking.

He sits back when it's done, sighing softly at the fact that Jin Ling's passed out again - maybe he'll see if Wei-qianbei's charm seems to be making a difference, then he can write about how Jin Ling is improving, that would be much better.

~~~

Yuan smiles gratefully and nods, glad of the distraction of playing for a little while, it helps calm the nerves that were building again.

He feels like a whole new person, as though the waters of the cold spring really have washed away the Wen Yuan who sold his body for a living, because sitting here in his snow-white robes, ribbon neatly in place, quietly playing qin, he actually feels like the proper young man he's trying to become.

In the back of his mind he knows there's so much more to go, but in that moment it at least feels possible.

He looks up with a soft smile as his father speaks, nodding and rising gracefully, smoothing out the skirts of his robes.

Liling sighs as she starts putting the cream away. "I'm so sorry. I know it's terrible to see. His uncle is so worn out from watching him like this and sitting up with him at night, neither one of them are really fit to be running a clan."

She blinks realizing what she just said and to whom. She clamps a hand over her mouth. "I'm so sorry! I shouldn't have said that! I didn't mean it! I'm just.. I really tired too! Please forgive me, Ouyang-gongzi! I do not mean to imply I don't think they're fit leaders. I just.. I mean they're tired only and I wish them sympathy."

~~~

Lan Qiren blinks as he sees the boy come out onto the porch with Lan Zhan. He didn't look like the same person. He'd been so frantic the day before and emotional, it had reminded him of when Wei Wuxian used to sneak around here like Mo Xuanyu causing trouble.

He bows to the bow along with Lan Xichen and to his nephew. "I'm here.. to issue an apology," he says with the utmost reluctance.

Behind Lan Zhan's back, he makes a quick symbol and Wuxian feels a sharp pinch to wake him up. Was he hearing this??

"Lan-gongzi, I was harsh in my words and my judgment and.." He pauses to glance at Xichen, who nods for him to continue. "And this was slander against your name. For this I've broken five of our precepts."

"Twelve." Lan Zhan corrects sharply.

Lan Qiren pauses to try and repress a glare at his nephew (and fails). "Twelve of our precepts. I ask for your forgiveness."

"No." Lan Zhan.

"Wangji!" Lan Qiren snaps.

"Lan Zhan!" Lan Xichen chides.

"Shufu, you are the elder here. It is your role to teach as well as admit your fault. What benefit is here if you ask for forgiveness and Lan Sizhui- whom you have not even introduced yourself to properly- doesn't know what rules you have breached? It's disrespectful to the youth to talk above their heads in this way. Do not be disrespectful of my son."

".. Shufu?" Lan Xichen says with a sigh. "Our Xiandu has spoken."

"No, no," Zizhen says reassuringly "I'm sure you've been running yourself just as ragged, Liling, I understand what you mean. I'm here now, hopefully that will allow Jiang-zongzhu to get a little rest."

He gives the young woman an encouraging smile.

"I'm sure your sect leader will be well soon. He's very lucky to have had you by his side."

~~~

Wuxian grumbles at the pinch until he realises he can hear Lan Qiren outside and he sits up abruptly to listen - though he has to clamp a hand over his mouth to hide his sniggers at Lan Zhan's reactions.

Yuan had hesitated when he first stepped out and saw Qiren, trepidation on his face as he bows back to the two of them - shifting to surprise when he mentions an apology.

It gets very awkward, very quickly though when his father refuses to accept it, and Yuan stands quietly beside him trying to work out if he ought to say anything or not.

He almost says it's fine, but decides in the end to stick with filial piety and stand by his father, politely silent while he waited for the outcome of this little family drama.

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