That night, Wei Wuxian lay in bed, thinking about the stern but mesmerizing Lan Wangji.
Sleep eventually claimed him, and he reluctantly woke up at 5:am a far cry from his usual sleep schedule back in Yunmeng, where he would sleep at midnight and wake up at noon.
As the first light of dawn filtered through the windows, he stretched and got ready, knowing he had to face the consequences of his actions.
As he stepped out of his room, he was greeted by Jiang Cheng and Jiang Yanli.
"There you are," Jiang Cheng grumbled. "What happened to you?"
Wei Wuxian grinned sheepishly. "Long story. Let's just say I had a run-in with the second Jade of Lan Clan."
Jiang Yanli chuckled softly. "It's good to see you're okay, Xian."
Before they could say more, Lan Xichen approached, his calm demeanor instantly setting a respectful tone. They quickly bowed to him, and he bowed back.
"Wei Childe," he began, "you have broken several important rules yesterday. As a consequence, you will copy the 3,000 rules of our clan 300 times."
Wei Wuxian's eyes widened in disbelief, but he managed to nod. "Understood."
Lan Xichen's gaze softened slightly. "Lan Wangji will accompany you to the library to ensure that you complete your punishment correctly."
Wei Wuxian followed Lan Xichen to the library, where Lan Wangji was already waiting with the necessary materials.
As Wei Wuxian settled down to begin copying, he couldn't help but glance at Lan Wangji, who sat nearby, silently writing in a parchment.
Hours passed, and the silence in the library was broken only by the scratching of Wei Wuxian's brush on paper.
He couldn't shake the feeling that, despite the punishment, he was drawn to Lan Wangji. There was something about the way Lan Wangji carried himself, the way he looked at Wei Wuxian with those gorgeous golden eyes.
And that piece of white headband, perfectly tied in his head.
Wei Wuxian's fingers itched to feel the silk in his palm.
Determined to make the best of his situation, Wei Wuxian focused on his task, vowing to learn more about the enigmatic Hanguang Jun.
As the days went by, copying the rules became a routine, as Wei Wuxian continued to break the rules one way or another. He found himself eagerly anticipating his time in the library with Lan Wangji.
As the Jade Emperor watched Wei Ying's past through the empathy, he saw the young boy's mischievous nature, his conflicts and affections within the Jiang family, and the stern encounters at the Cloud Recesses.
Wei Ying's carefree smile, even when facing punishment, tugged at the Emperor's heartstrings.
But just as the vision showed Wei Wuxian diligently copying the rules under Lan Wangji's watchful eyes, a disturbance in the celestial realm broke his concentration.
The Jade Emperor sighed, dispelling the vision with a wave of his hand. The serene room, adorned with celestial light, came back into focus. He looked at Wei Ying's comatose form lying peacefully, surrounded by protective wards.
"He has endured much," the Emperor mused. "Rest now, Mortal one. Your journey is not yet over."
He gently adjusted the wards around Wei Ying before turning to address a celestial attendant who had entered the chamber with urgent news.
Back in the mortal realm, Lan Zhan was a world away from the Celestial Palace.
He sat in his quiet room at the Cloud Recesses, staring at the moonlit sky. The soft coos and murmurs of his three children, safely tucked in their cribs, filled the silence.
Each night, he would sit by their side, playing his guqin Wangji, attempting to summon Wei Ying's spirit, but to no avail.
His brother, Lan Xichen, often joined him, gently reminding him of his duties and the need to move forward.
But Lan Zhan's heart remained steadfast. He felt Wei Ying's presence lingering, as if their bond transcended even death.
Lan Xichen entered the room, a concerned expression on his face. "Wangji, it's late. You should rest. The children need you strong."
Lan Zhan looked at his brother, his usually stoic face softened with a rare vulnerability.
"I miss him, Xioangzhang. I can feel him. Wei Ying is out there somewhere, and I will not give up on him."
Lan Xichen placed a comforting hand on his brother's shoulder. "I know you miss him. We all do. But your children need you now more than ever. They are Wei Wuxian's legacy, and through them, he lives on."
Lan Zhan nodded, his resolve unwavering.
He kissed each of his children's foreheads, silently promising to protect and raise them as Wei Ying would have wanted.
But deep inside, he vowed to find his beloved, no matter how long it took.
Past...
As the night deepened, Lan Zhan's thoughts drifted back to Wei Ying's infectious laughter, his mischievous grin, and the warmth of his embrace. Holding onto these memories, Lan Zhan found a sliver of peace, knowing that their love was eternal.
As the days passed, Wei Wuxian found himself growing more comfortable in Lan Wangji's presence. He began to notice the small things...the way Lan Wangji's hair fell across his forehead, the soft creases around his eyes when he concentrated, and the subtle scent that lingered on his robes.
One day, as they worked in the library late in the evening, a sudden gust of wind swept through, extinguishing the candles and plunging the room into darkness.
The silence was thick, broken only by the rustle of paper and the distant sound of night insects.
Lan Wangji rose, his movements swift and silent, and lit a new candle. As the flame flickered to life, Wei Wuxian saw something unexpected...a small, almost imperceptible smile on Lan Wangji's lips.
It was a fleeting moment, but it was enough to make Wei Wuxian's heart skip a beat.
"Thank you, Hanguang Jun," Wei Wuxian said, his voice barely above a whisper, afraid to shatter the fragile intimacy of the moment.
Lan Wangji's gaze met his, and for a moment, Wei Wuxian felt like he saw beyond the stoic facade to something warmer, kinder beneath. There was a depth in Lan Wangji's eyes that spoke of untold stories and unshared sorrows.
"You're welcome, Wei Ying," Lan Wangji replied, his voice low and smooth, sending a shiver down Wei Wuxian's spine.
In that moment, Wei Wuxian knew he was in trouble. Lan Wangji had called him by his birth name, a gesture of unexpected familiarity. If Lan Wangji could call him Wei Ying, did that mean he could call him Lan Zhan too?
"Lan Zhan..." Wei Wuxian tested the name, watching for any reaction.
Lan Wangji's eyes softened ever so slightly, but he gave no verbal response. Yet, his silence spoke volumes to Wei Wuxian. He was falling for the enigmatic Lan Wangji, and he had no idea how to stop it.
The days of copying the rules were long and tedious, but the moments of quiet companionship with Lan Wangji made them bearable.
With each passing day, Wei Wuxian found himself sinking deeper into emotions he couldn't name, and he feared the day when he would no longer be able to hide them.
As the days turned into weeks, Wei Wuxian found himself looking forward to his punishment sessions with Lan Wangji.
He would often make mistakes intentionally, just to see the hint of frustration on Lan Wangji's face as he corrected him.
One evening, as they worked in the library, Lan Wangji's hand brushed against Wei Wuxian's as he reached for a parchment. Wei Wuxian had shifted his seat and table closer to where Lan Zhan was.
The touch sent a shiver down Wei Wuxian's spine, and he couldn't help but glance up at Lan Wangji.
For a moment, their eyes locked, and Wei Wuxian saw something there, a spark of attraction that he couldn't ignore.
Lan Wangji's face remained stoic, but his eyes betrayed him, flashing with a hint of warmth before he looked away.
Wei Wuxian's heart raced as he tried to focus on his work, but his mind kept wandering back to the touch, the look in Lan Wangji's eyes. He couldn't believe it - was it possible that the stern Hanguang Jun felt the same way?
As the night drew to a close, Lan Wangji rose, his movements economical as always.
"You've made good progress, Wei Ying," he said, his voice neutral. "Continue to work hard."
Wei Wuxian nodded, his heart still racing. "I will, Hanguang Jun. Thank you."
As Lan Wangji turned to leave, Wei Wuxian called out, "Lan Zhan?"
Lan Wangji paused, looking back over his shoulder.
"Mn?"
Wei Wuxian's voice was barely above a whisper, "I'm glad I got to see you smile."
Lan Wangji's expression didn't change, but his eyes flickered, and for a moment, Wei Wuxian thought he saw a glimmer of hope. Then, Lan Wangji turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving Wei Wuxian wondering if he had imagined it all.
Hours turned into days, and days turned into weeks.
Wei Wuxian continued to work hard, copying the rules and learning from Lan Wangji. Their interactions remained formal, but Wei Wuxian couldn't shake off the feeling that something had shifted between them.
One evening, as they worked in the library, Lan Wangji suddenly spoke up, his voice low and smooth.
"Wei Ying, I've noticed you've been working hard. Your progress is commendable."
Wei Wuxian looked up, surprised by the praise. "Thank you, Hanguang Jun. I'm trying my best."
Lan Wangji's gaze lingered on him for a moment before he looked away. "I think it's time for a reward. Come with me."
Wei Wuxian's heart skipped a beat as he followed Lan Wangji out of the library and into the gardens.
The moon was full overhead, casting a silver glow over the landscape.
Lan Wangji led him to a secluded pavilion, where a small table was set with tea and delicate pastries.
"I thought you might like a break from the rules, even though you're breaking them intentionally," Lan Wangji said, his eyes glinting in the moonlight.
Wei Wuxian's heart raced as he realized they were alone, surrounded by the beauty of nature. He felt like he was seeing Lan Wangji in a new light, like the stern facade was cracking to reveal a kinder, gentler soul beneath.
"Ahaha...Lan Zhan, it's just..." Wei Ying didn't know what to say, he just tapped his nose, grinning.
As they sipped tea and nibbled on pastries, the conversation flowed easily, like they were old friends. Wei Wuxian found himself smiling and joking with Lan Wangji, feeling a connection he couldn't ignore.
And then, as the night wore on, Lan Wangji reached out and brushed a strand of hair out of Wei Wuxian's face.
The touch sent shivers down his spine, and he knew, in that moment, that he was in love.
Lan Zhan didn't stop there; he leaned in close to Wei Ying's neck and inhaled deeply.
Wei Ying shivered from the warm breath. Unable to control his fingers now, he raised his hand towards Lan Zhan's forehead...