Lan Qiren wakes up and, for once, does not stir. He wonders what woke him up since it's still dark and the camp is asleep. It's easy to stretch out his senses and examine his surroundings, looking for the source of disruption. Then he hears a voice, WangJi, talking. At first, he thinks the child might be talking in his sleep, but then A-Ying answers him.

"Old man Lan surely has changed," A-Ying tells him.

"Mn. But he's so different from the hard uncle of our past life. I loved him as you do any member of the family, but at the same time, I was frustrated with his view towards you. I didn't understand why he couldn't see how good you were, how much you stood by what you believed."

"I know what he thought about me, but I thought he loved you and XiChen-Ge."

"I suppose he might have. He and Xiongzhang were always closer, and I felt like I had to be strong by myself."

Oh, Lan Qiren thinks that's incredibly sad. Why had he given that impression?

"Why? What made you think that? What was the difference in how he treated XiChen-Ge and you?"

Lan Zhan is quiet for a moment as if formulating his reply. Then he says, "As soon as I began surpassing Xiongzhang in our studies, and my adherence to discipline and my duties, it was as if I had to maintain that high standard continuously. While he and Xiongzhang used to meet every day for tea and meetings."

"Weren't you invited to those?"

"No. Or if Uncle did, Xiongzhang would talk him out of it."

"Maybe XiChen-Ge was just trying to save you from a dull and boring time." Wei Ying scoots closer, the rustle of his clothes moving on their bedroll sounding loud in the quiet night.

Somewhere, an owl hoots, followed by the squeal of its unfortunate prey.

Lan Qiren wonders why he would have behaved differently towards both his nephews. It is probably true that he would have used A-Huan's maturity to teach him the ins and outs of being a Sect Leader, but he had no idea it would end up alienating his younger nephew.

"And then, after the guest lectures, I think he could tell how much I missed you, and to him, that wasn't a good thing. He never understood how I felt about you, or how much I wanted to leave everything behind, just so I could be with you. I feel cheated because you heard him telling Xiao XingChen to pursue the person he feels that deep connection with? He never supported what I wanted in our past life. His punishments just kept getting harsher, as if he could erase my feelings, scrape them out of my heart to clean it up."

"Lan Zhan, come here, my love." A-Ying's voice sounds thick with unshed tears.

There's more shuffling as if the children are hugging each other.

Lan Qiren is truly shocked at himself. It was bad enough listening to his conduct and all of A-Zhan's memories, but this? This is an insight into how he truly felt at the unfairness of their situation and how much Lan Qiren had needed to make an example out of the Second Jade of Gusu.

Why had Lan Qiren chosen to be that strict with his own nephew? Was he scared that any leniency on his part would be seen as favouritism towards family?

Regret is a deep and unfathomable well of remorse in his mind, a wish that he would have been different towards his family, kinder somehow. Yes, discipline was a trait that should be ingrained in all the Lan disciples, but so should qualities such as kindness and empathy towards the younger members of their Clan, to teach them better life skills. But he can't help feeling that he might have failed both of his nephews in his past life.

What was the point in teaching them to be exemplary students, to be masters of cultivation and lead others towards that infinite goal of pushing past the boundaries of this mortal life, if they weren't happy?

Then and there, Lan Qiren makes a vow to himself that he will always put his nephews ahead of duty and filial piety, their happiness in front of the clan's. He hopes that is enough.

The even and steady breaths of the children alert him that they've gone back to sleep. Lan Qiren tries to do the same, but as the hours pass by, he decides to relieve the disciple on night patrol, urging them to rest instead. He might as well use this extra time to take a good, hard look at himself and learn what he needs to change.

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

After three more uneventful days and nights, they reach Baixue Temple.

A high wall surrounds the enclosure, and at the huge gates, two disciples dressed in saffron robes with deep maroon sashs let them enter.

It is early in the morning and the sunlight is already strong, making the gardens surrounding the main temple complex look brighter, deeper in colour. Well watered tulips and roses have shot up from the ground in a riot of pinks and purples and oranges, dotted about with the more delicate peach peonies. Pansies and golden marigolds bow to the light breeze, rocking bumblebees and butterflies from their precarious feasting.

A variety of happy birds call out to one another, and the atmosphere is peacefully tranquil.

Xiao XingChen approaches one of the monks and bows are exchanged as well as introductions.

Wei Ying looks around, seeing the disciples working all around them to maintain the grounds. Some of them are cleaning doors and windows, others are digging into the ground, ready to plant other flowers, and then a group of twelve disciples walks past, chanting. They are also dressed in ochre and deep red robes.

Then their little group is escorted inside the main front building. A huge golden Guanyin statue smiles down at them, and they are encouraged to bow before it, presenting gifts of fresh fruit and pieces of silver. The altar is decorated with fresh, colourful flowers and other offerings.

"I wonder where Xue Yang and A-Qing are," Wei Ying whispers to Lan Zhan. "I haven't seen any children at all. What do you suppose they're doing?"

"I don't know. Perhaps they have a separate area for children," Lan Zhan offers, also looking around.

"Let's hope so," Wei Ying murmurs, as their group is taken out of this main building to the ones behind it.

Each building is connected by bamboo paths, tiny bridges over man-made streams, little ponds with red and gold koi fish swimming leisurely in their depths. There are secluded gardens and benches, fountains providing a musical trickling song, and groves of pretty trees laden with fruit. Even here, there's the odd disciple pruning and harvesting these trees.

No one speaks unnecessarily, and there's an air of peaceful solitude as they enter the next building. This one opens up into a courtyard, and it is clear that something is going on.

There are shouts and then a familiar voice declares, "I didn't do it!"

Wei Ying grabs Lan Zhan's hand and rushes past the crowd of disciples right into the centre of the haphazard circle. There, Xue Yang is being restrained by a firm hand on his shoulder and he looks pissed. Next to him is A-Qing and Song Lan, the latter bowing to the Head Priest. On his other side, a young disciple not more than eighteen years old is also bowing his head in shame.

All except Song Lan and the children are wearing yellow-gold robes with deep red sashes crossways over their bodies. And all of them look at the two new children to break their circle of monks.

"This is a private matter," the Head Priest says sternly to the disciples who had brought the visitors here.

They bow and apologise, and try to lead Lan Qiren, Xiao XingChen and the other Lan disciples away, but Lan Huan makes a point of going to stand next to his baby brother.

"Please excuse our interruption," Lan Qiren replies, stepping forward. "But we may be able to help. We know the child under your custody. What exactly has happened here?"

"These idiots think I stole something of theirs!" Xue Yang declares, as if he never would have gotten caught had he been guilty of the crime he's accused of. And he's clearly unimpressed with all of the adults surrounding him.

"If my brother said he didn't do it, then he didn't!" A-Qing shouts, tears pouring from her eyes. "You said it would be safe for us!" She adds, tugging on Song Zichen's hand.

"Silence!" The Head Priest demands.

Immediately, everyone shuts up, bowing their heads.

"There is a secret temple in our compound," the Head Priest explains to Lan Qiren. "Only the inner disciples have access to it. There is a statue of his divine grace, Avalokiteshvara. The deity is much revered and only myself and our head Disciple have access to the chamber. The priceless antique statute was established six hundred years ago, and there is a legend regarding him. This particular statue has eight arms and three eyes, the third a red ruby of unimaginable value. This morning, that same ruby was stolen. And he did it." The Head Priest scowls at Xue Yang.

"That guy was there before me!" Xue Yang protests.

"Unlike you, he was supposed to be there!" The Head Priest replies, with a hard tone. "Now, give it back!" He holds out his hand.

"I haven't taken it!" Xue Yang struggles under the weight of the hand holding him down.

"Was the ruby present last night?" Lan Qiren asks them.

"Yes. There are three main offering services performed at Chen Shi, Wei Shi and Xu Shi. Last night, I had the honour of performing the ritual. The ruby was there. This morning, the boy was discovered in the secret chamber along with the head Disciple. The ruby is gone, and there can only be one culprit." The Head Priest glares at Xue Yang.

Lan Qiren stares at both of the accused children kneeling on the grassy courtyard. Xue Yang won't look at him, and the other disciple stares back with a smug look. There's no reason why Lan Qiren should suspect either one...it's just that he appears a little too confident. Almost as if he thinks he can get away with it. But before he can say anything, Wei Ying bows to the head priest and turns to Xue Yang.

"Xue Yang, I believe you. But if you had taken it, where would you hide it?"

"They've been searched already, young master." Another important looking monk pipes up.

"I dunno, probably swallowed it," Xue Yang replies offhandedly.

Immediately, there's a look of panic on the face of the head Disciple, and he makes a break for it, but there are too many people in his way and he's caught.

"I am highly disappointed in you!" The Head Priest tells him, looking angry. "Bring him some laxatives and monitor his condition. Take him away!"

Some of the disciples hurry to carry out his orders. The Head Priest bows to Xue Yang and then to Lan Qiren and his party.

"My sincerest apologies," he says quickly. "I have known our head Disciple for more than ten years and so I believed him when he said he would never do such a thing."

"Did you even search him properly?" Wei Ying asks, helping Xue Yang up from the ground.

The Head Priest looks guiltily down.

"I must say, I would have expected better from a renowned establishment such as this," Lan Qiren tells the Head Priest.

"Are you alright?" Wei Ying asks Xue Yang, dusting him off.

"Yeah, I guess." Xue Yang gives him a small smile, though there's something different in his eyes.

Wei Ying raises a brow at him, and he shakes his head. Whatever is on his mind, he doesn't want to talk about it now.

"Why were you there, anyway?" Wei Ying asks him. "If it's so secret and all."

"I was just exploring," Xue Yang whispers. "You know me, I get restless in new places, and I decided to take a look around."

Wei Ying gets the feeling there's more to this than Xue Yang is letting on, but he drops the matter for now. After exchanging more words, Lan Qiren's group is being led through their original route to another pavilion. The children are seated around their own table while the adults are seated nearby.

"Thank you for taking the time to talk to us," Lan Qiren tells the Head Priest.

Servants pour out fragrant hot tea for everyone, and sweet osmanthus cakes are served.

"What brings you to our humble abode?" the Head Priest asks him in return.

"The children missed their playmate, and since Xiao XingChen was coming this way..." Lan Qiren looks over to them.

Song Zichen and Xiao XingChen make a striking couple, sitting next to each other. One dressed in black from head to toe, while the other is practically glowing in white robes, the relief on both of their faces. They are looking at one another and it feels intimate, as if no one else should be able to see this, as if they are communicating without words.

The Head Priest launches into a discussion about the temple complex and how it began, all those years ago. Lan Qiren sighs internally and pretends to listen, wishing he was sitting with the kids instead.

"Thanks for standing up for me," Xue Yang tells Wei Ying. "I thought it would be different, being here. But it's the same shit, different day."

"What do you mean?" Wei Ying puts an arm around his shoulders, sensing rather than seeing Lan Zhan edge closer on his other side.

"I'll tell you later." He looks over to A-Qing, who is picking apart her cake without eating it.

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

A/N

Dear Patient Readers,

Sorry for the delay in the update, I caught a bad cold that was worse than normal with achy bones and burning eyes, but I'm getting better, so please don't worry. I struggled to update because of that, though.

Hopefully, back to normal in a few days, in the meantime, have some chocolate.

🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫

All my love,

Charlie