Wei Ying wakes up first, after a haunting dream.

A-Yuan.

He remembers bits and pieces, nothing that makes sense fully. First, there are happy memories of playing with A-Yuan, making silly noises and pretending that the toy Wen Popo stitched for him out of rags was a dragon. A fearsome legendary beast who tore down forests and cities with the vengeance of the Heavens, but whenever A-Yuan called out to him, he would turn into the Tickle monster. Of making that kid laugh and chortle, telling him all sorts of nonsense, making up stories that both entertained him while teaching him some kind of moral lesson.

Memories of burying him in the dirt on the promise that Wei Ying would grow him more brothers and sisters, other children for the lonely child to play with. In the Burial Mounds, there was only old people who couldn't run after him and play tag, Wen Qing, who was far too busy sticking needles where they most definitely didn't belong, and Wen Ning, who could offer no warmth, but his cold heart was big enough for everyone to feel the love within it.

And then, there was Wei Ying. Xian-Gege to a little boy with huge eyes and squishable cheeks, the cutest kid Wei Ying had ever seen, and the spark that lit the fire of his rebellion.

Together, they suffered through three years of living in that windswept mountainside, with only the screaming banshees of the dead for company at night. Food grown in soil saturated with blood, bones getting in the way of their planting attempts. They learned to scavenge for wild fruits when the seasons permitted, Uncle Four making a secret wine and surprising him with it, all of them giving up their shares of food for the perpetually hungry child. How the hardships brought them all so much closer together.

Wei Ying doesn't know, he can't pinpoint when exactly he started thinking of A-Yuan as his child. It was never a conscious decision between one day babysitting him while Wen Popo rested, to letting the mischievous toddler chew on his terrifying dizi hard enough to leave teeth marks. Of their connection, there was never any doubt. Both of them striving to make the other smile when it was far too easy to cry instead.

On that last day, Wei Ying recalls finding A-Yuan sleeping next to him when he woke up from Wen Qing's needle attack. The boy must have been frightened, probably cold and hungry, and confused because no one was around to feed him, or talk to him. Only his Xian-Gege, who couldn't wake up, even if A-Yuan might have tried rousing him.

He can't remember what his thought process had been, except that he was terrified that the Cultivation sects would arrive at the Burial Mounds ready to slaughter them, and there was no way Wei Ying would let them have his child. But he couldn't take A-Yuan with him, not where Wei Ying was going. Not where the killing of anyone that opposed him would be the tamest thing Wei Ying was going to do.

A battlefield was no place for a kid, but then, neither was the Burial Mounds.

That's when Wei Ying had lit up like a torch, anger consuming him from within.

How dare these people decide who had a right to live and who had a right to die? How dare they demand the lives of the innocent for the crimes that Wei Ying blamed himself over?

The Jins had promised the matter would be closed upon the Wens giving themselves up, but Wei Ying could never trust those golden robes to keep their word, because that was akin to accusing Jin GuangShan of being a pious monk.

So the only option he had seen-

Wei Ying bursts into tears. He tries to be quiet but Lan Zhan hears him and not long after that, both of his parents are hugging them tightly, trying to soothe away the monstrous hurt bursting into flames under his ribs.

"Wei Ying-" Lan Zhan begs him mournfully, hoping to stop him from crying more, but Wei Ying is too horrified at himself to think properly.

"Let him cry it out," Cangse Sanren murmurs, gathering him up into her arms. "He'll tell us when he can."

Wei Changze brings water for everyone, waiting until Wei Ying's cries turn into whimpers and hiccups. It's nearly morning time now, and soon, everyone will be up. He's not sure what has upset his son so much, he's hoping it was just a dream, but with the revelations of the past few days, he's on edge about what it could be.

Cangse Sanren is the only one who can calm him down, hugging Wei Ying so that he feels safe. But this time, Wei Ying's worries are not coming from an outside threat; no, this time, he fears he has done the unthinkable. He was responsible for a child and he left him to die.

What kind of parent does that? Knowingly?

In broken words and tearful sentences, Wei Ying explains who A-Yuan was to his parents, and that's when Lan Zhan understands his heartbreak. Silently, he reaches across to take Wei Ying's hand, feeling his pain. On that bleak mountainside, A-Yuan would have been lucky to survive because if the Jins hadn't got to him first, then starvation surely would have finished him off.

"YingYing, my love, everything will be alright now." Cangse Sanren rocks him back and forth gently, stroking his soft curls and kissing his temple every now and again. "At the time, you did what you had to do. Children are the innocent victims of any conflict and the collateral damage to society as a whole. But we can console ourselves that right now, he hasn't been born yet. It's a sure possibility that his parents are barely old enough to speak for themselves, and by getting rid of Wen Ruohan, you have removed the possibility of war altogether, therefore securing his future in another way.

"This is his second chance too, to avoid all those hungry nights, to skip over the orphan part of his life. In this life, he will have his parents. You have given him a much better future now, by taking responsibility for his life. As for his fate in that past life, let me tell you a story, hm?" When he nods slowly, dazed from his emotional outburst, she continues. "There once was a little boy, carefully hidden away inside a tree trunk by someone who cared for him so deeply, he wanted to keep the boy safe. For a little while, the boy remained quiet because his guardian had told him it was dangerous to make a noise.

"But then, he became hungry so he climbed out of his hiding place and went to look for food. There might have been a lot of noise somewhere, and that little boy would have remembered what his Xian-Gege had told him, so he would have run away as far as he could to keep himself safe. A-Yuan might have found the path to Yiling and on the way there, he might have met an old man, someone who recognised a hungry child when he saw them, and so he brought A-Yuan to his home.

"Listening to A-Yuan telling him about Wen Popo and Qing-gugu, and Ning ShuShu, and of course, his Xian-Gege, the man would have figured out who A-Yuan was. From that moment on, he decides to adopt the child, realising from the talk in the town that the boy was alone now. But he knows he can help this child, he can pass him off as his own grandchild and that's how A-Yuan is saved. Alright, YingYing?"

"When A-Yuan is born again in this lifetime, we will search for him. We will ask Qing-Jie to find him. Wei Ying, we can meet him again. We can make sure he has everything a child could need." Lan Zhan hugs him from behind.

"All this time, I knew what I had done," Wei Ying tells them mournfully. "But I didn't want to acknowledge how terrible that choice was."

"Was it really a choice, YingYing?" Cangse Sanren asks him, her voice becoming sharper than her sword. "Those bastards put you in an impossible situation. Considering your options, what you were forced to do was the least harmful to the little kid. At any rate, I am looking forward to meeting my grandchild."

"Mama!" Wei Ying laughs, a startled, scandalised sound drawn from his tired lungs.

"Well, I assume when the time is right, there will be wedding music in our future?"

Wei Ying buries his red face in her neck while she laughs some more, and Lan Zhan replies with the utmost sincerity, "Mn. Wei Ying and I will marry as soon as possible."

"Qiren is in for a surprise," Wei Changze mutters under his breath as Cangse Sanren howls with laughter.

**************

At Wu Shi, they receive visitors.

Lan Qiren brings Lan Huan and a surprise guest, Xiao XingChen, to see Cangse Sanren and her family.

Xiao XingChen's face breaks out into a warm and happy smile as soon as he sees his ShiJie, and her condition. He greets everyone properly first, and then Lan Qiren offers him a seat at the small tea table where Wei Changze, Lan Huan and himself also join him.

A familiar teasing smile lights up Cangse Sanren's face as her eyes roam over her Shidi.

"So you decided to leave, too?" she asks him outright when she has a steaming cup of hot tea in her hands. She's referring to the Celestial Mountain and the home of their Cultivation family, where their Shifu resides, Baoshan Sanren.

"I think I was always going to," he replies quietly.

Wei Ying studies him from the bed, where he's leaning against his Mama. He hasn't moved much since this morning, and both Lan Zhan and his mother are keeping him close today. He still feels a little raw from the early waking up, and their guest is a welcome distraction. In his mind, he draws comparisons between the Xiao XingChen he knows of his past, and this one.

The present Xiao XingChen has newly left his sanctuary and begun a different adventure out here, a place full of new experiences and ideals, many of which he might not understand or agree with. But the young man has always seemed like someone who valued moral principles, who travelled along his road helping those less fortunate and upholding the ideals of true Cultivation. He's much younger than when Wei Ying met him for the first time in their previous lifetime.

"What do you think of the world now that you are exposed to it?" Wei Changze asks him, curious about his answer.

"I must admit, not having anyone to rely on is the obvious difference, but it's also exciting. I am looking forward to travelling, and of course, visiting Baixue Temple. I met someone who has become a good friend in a short time, and I value his advice." Xiao XingChen quickly raises his cup to hide his hot cheeks.

"I knew it! What's his name? What does he look like?" Cangse Sanren shouts excitedly, thrilled to bits for him.

"He's just a friend," Xiao XingChen insists, his blush deepening.

But no one can save him from his ShiJie, unless she decides to go easy on him herself.

"He offered me a place to stay, and as he has two new disciples to take care of, I thought I would help him out. They're just kids, you know?" It's what he's not saying that makes Cangse Sanren pause.

"Actually, we were hoping you would not mind some company on your way to Baixue Temple," Lan Qiren says. He's been waiting for an opportunity to say something that wouldn't sound suspicious about this impromptu visit they've been planning ever since they got back from Nightless City.

"Oh, that would be great," Xiao XingChen replies, turning his attention to the Acting Sect Leader. "I hear the Temple is one of the greatest wonders of the world. It will be nice to see something rare, something unique and learn a different way of cultivating."

"Mn. The children miss their friends, the new disciples you mentioned. It will be good to do some travelling while their classes are not yet mandatory." Lan Qiren explains.

They chat some more but it's clear that Cangse Sanren is flagging, yawning between observations and whatever her Shidi is telling her.

Luckily, Xiao XingChen is an astute man.

"I was hoping for a tour of Cloud Recesses," he says to Lan Qiren. "I've heard much about the Discipline Wall and how well your training regime is." He bows to him.

Lan Qiren bows back, feeling rightfully proud of his disciples. He rings a bell pulled from his sleeves and summons two young disciples to show Xiao XingChen around.

Cangse Sanren mutters an apology before she's out like a light.

"Please do visit us again," Wei Changze invites Xiao XingChen. "Your ShiJie gets more tired these days, but she should be alright by this evening."

"Of course. I was planning on leaving tomorrow, so that is easily done. Now it will give those wanting to join me ample time to prepare." Xiao XingChen bows and leaves with the disciples.

Lan Qiren throws silencing talismans everywhere, alerting everyone that they are about to speak of private matters.

"WangJi, A-Ying, we want to ask you some questions," he says, glancing at Lan Huan first. He reaches under the table to take his little hand. Already his fingers are growing longer, enough to accommodate his xiao.

"Mn. Shufu may ask any question." Lan Zhan bows towards them. "Xiongzhang, too."

"We were discussing many subjects last night," Lan Qiren clarifies. "But our curiosity is regarding Meng Yao. Please tell us all you know about him in your previous lifetime."

Lan Huan is watching Lan Zhan and he knows as soon as their eyes meet, that his younger brother knows why they're asking this question. In fact, it might be a technicality, but is A-Zhan even his younger brother still? Body-wise, yes, but internally? No.

A much older, wiser soul resides in that body right now, one that Lan Huan had unintentionally pissed off and betrayed in their last life. Lan Huan is correct for feeling trepidation.

"We first encountered Meng Yao as the man accompanying Nie Huaisang attending the guest lectures at Cloud Recesses. When they presented their gifts to Shufu, there was gossiping around them pertaining to Meng Yao's parentage. Shufu shut them down but the gist of it was that Meng Yao had reached an acceptable age to cultivate and so, encouraged by his mother, he went to Koi tower to present himself to Jin GuangShan.

"He picked his birthday, perhaps unaware that the same day was the birthday of the Sect heir, the legitimate one, and Koi tower was celebrating in their usual way when he turned up. Unfortunately, Jin GuangShan was of no mind to pay him any attention, especially because it would have interfered with the festivities for Jin ZiXuan. So he kicked his illegitimate son down the stairs, refusing to accept him." Even Lan Zhan is appalled by that abusive and cruel behaviour.

There are gasps around the room.

"That vermin died too fast," Wei Changze mutters.

"Agreed," Lan Qiren nods at him. "Such a rude and painful awakening must have instigated his feelings for revenge."

"Huaisang liked him," Wei Ying tells Lan Huan honestly. "Meng Yao then went on to join the Nie Sect, but it quickly got around that his mother was a prostitute and his father Jin-Zhongzhu. There must have been barbed comments all of his life, even when he worked his way up the ranks in that Sect. We later found out that when Wen Xu attacked the Unclean Realm, in the ensuing chaos of the battle, Meng Yao had lured the Captain of the Nie army into the woods and stabbed him with a Wen sword. Nie MingJue saw him in the act and was about to kill him for treason, but he begged for his life. He said he was going back to the Jins to reclaim his place at his father's side, and then you protected him." Wei Ying looks directly at Lan Huan. "XiChen-Ge, Meng Yao was a masterful actor, able to garner sympathy even though he had been caught murdering the Nie Captain."

"We don't know where he went after that, because the Sunshot Campaign began in earnest," Lan Zhan tells them.

"Nie MingJue was surprised but unconcerned when he discovered that Meng Yao had disappeared, and at the first battle of Nightless City, when he came from behind Wen Ruohan to stab him, there was only shock. But because Nie MingJue had been captured at Langya, he had seen Meng Yao killing and torturing Nie disciples for Wen Ruohan, and he had little trust for the man. This time, it was Jin GuangShan who saved him by legitimising his claim. But even then, he wasn't given the 'Zi' of the heirs, but the 'Guang' of himself, openly lowering his rank." Wei Ying finishes. "By the end of the war and the beginning of the Venerated Triad, Lan XiChen was rarely seen without Jin GuangYao and vice versa." He shrugs apologetically.

"That's everything we know, aside from his open slander towards Wei Ying afterwards." Lan Zhan adds, unable to forget even a small transgression as that.

"A-Huan, do you see? It is possible that the man was a great actor, knowing what to say and when to say it. Yes, you made the wrong choice to stand by him, but we are now fully aware of his traits, his character. Even if he proves otherwise in this second lifetime, we can still be on our guard." Lan Qiren addresses his heir.

But it is with a heavy heart that Lan Huan bows back.