On the morning of the fourth day of the conference, Lan Qiren takes Lan Zhan and Wei Ying past the library on the way to the infirmary. Through the open doors, they can see two senior disciples sitting opposite Jin ZiXun and Su She, both placed at different positions so that they can't see each other. Both are hard at work, writing as fast as they can.

"Is it true," they hear Jin ZiXun ask the person overlooking his punishment, "that I can't go home until I finish?"

"Yes, Jin-Gonzei. I believe it was your aunt's suggestion. Acting Sect Leader Jin-Furen insisted. Now, please continue."

"What about me?" Su She asks the person sitting in front of him.

"What about you?"

"When can I go home?"

"That is unclear. Your father was prevented from coming here, but he is upset with your conduct. Lan-Zhongzhu is displeased with your behaviour. In light of this, one should knuckle down and complete the punishment. But I have been asked to inform you that if it is not completed by tomorrow evening, it will have to be redone." The senior disciple sounds impatient.

Su She lets out an awful noise, and Lan Qiren continues walking on ahead, trying not to smile. That's a great suggestion, he thinks, and reminds himself to commend Lan Bobo for his creativity. If it wasn't an actual suggestion before, it certainly can be a new addition to the punishment of the two in the library. He doesn't see either child completing their copying of the rules by tomorrow night, and while it will keep them out of trouble for the duration of their stay, following through means they will have to be tolerated until they finish, plus there is the added palava of making sure they reach their homes safely, if their family members have left Cloud Recesses already.

He hadn't expected any support from Jin-Furen, and when she had requested to see him, Lan Qiren had honestly thought she was there to chew him out, from the slight incurred towards the Jin Clan. But she strongly voiced her opinion that Jin ZiXun was in need of a few more such punishments and that she thoroughly approved of Lan Qiren's verdict.

Certainly, this conference was shaping up to be quite exciting so far.

But if things proceeded as they had these past few days, then tomorrow's swimming expedition could be expected to go ahead. Surprisingly, all the Clans and Sects have been succinct in evaluating their needs and expressing any concerns. Lan Qiren counts his blessings and opens the door to the infirmary.

"Ah, welcome, Xiao-Yisheng*!" The Healer from yesterday greets them. "Come and tend to your patient. He is just about ready for his breakfast." (*Little Doctors)

He leads both boys towards the back of the room to a sectioned off part where a fluffy blanket is laid inside a wicker basket, and their bunny is sitting quietly, looking up at them.

"Xiao-Tuzi, how are you doing today?" Wei Ying asks the little fellow, pulling Lan Zhan closer, and then they both sit cross-legged in front of it.

As Lan Zhan lets it sniff his fingers, and Wei Ying offers it a piece of crunchy lettuce, Lan Qiren takes the Healer aside.

"Is it really alright? Did it give you any trouble during the night?" He asks with concern.

"As you know, we wrapped him tight in a blanket last night, and that helped with his trauma. As soon as the shock wore off, he polished off the strawberries and even chewed some hay. Dropped right off to sleep and didn't wake up until this morning, just a while ago. He's going to make a full recovery, don't worry, Lan-Zhongzhu."

Lan Qiren nods slowly, turning his attention back to the three a short distance away. He certainly hopes so.

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

When the conference starts, it is Yu-Zhongzhu that stands up first, with a contemptuous curl of her lips.

"I would like to bring the contract of the waterways to Acting Sect Leader Lan Qiren's attention. Before the unfortunate events at Nightless City, the contract for the use of Yunmeng waterways and passage routes with the Jiang Clan was mediocre at best, and blind thievery at worst. I had an opportunity to review its conditions and find the lease to be highly disadvantageous towards the Jiang and unfairly benefiting the Lans. I seek to rectify this slight immediately. Here is the new proposed contract." She hands the parchment to her servant, who bows before giving it to Lan Qiren.

He glances through it, already aware of the contents, having expected that Madam Yu would try to pull a stunt like this. He first suspected as much when Nie MingJue mentioned seeing such a document a few nights ago, during Lan Qiren's "interrogation" of the children and their attempts to find the traitor. Even if he was not made aware of exact figures, anyone would have guessed at the gist of Madam Yu's ploy, and he's not surprised. Besides, just knowing she was planning something along these lines has made him think about the correct response.

"These terms are unacceptable," he tells her. "Am I to believe that the Meishan Yu Sect is reneging on already agreed terms of a signed and recorded contract? Just because the signed party has passed away does not nullify the agreement."

"It is beneficial only to the Lans." Madam Yu argues back, her eyes spitting fire. "What are the Jiangs getting out of it?"

"They are being paid handsomely. It is a fair sum."

"Is it?"

"Madam Yu, may I remind you that this contract is between the Jiang Clan and the Lan Clan. Clans, not individuals. As both Clans are able and running as normal, as they were, when the contract was first signed and agreed upon, there should be no need for any changes, sudden or otherwise." Lan Qiren states firmly.

"I disagree. Contracts can and should be reviewed regularly to maintain fairness. You should reconsider."

She's not backing down.

Fine.

Lan Qiren sits up straighter. "That goes against the whole point of making a contract. Fixed rates are the steady foundation for building finances. It is a fact that anyone with experience in handling the monetary aspect of running a Sect should understand. This leads me to believe that you are using this contract to hide something else. If you cannot be honest in your business dealings, that is up to you. However, if the Meishan Yu Sect wants to discuss finances because of a lack of funds, the Lan Clan can negotiate the terms of a loan. We offer competitive interest rates."

"A loan?" Her voice comes out so much higher, laced with incredulity. "Are you serious?"

"As much as you." Lan Qiren replies calmly, tearing the offending parchment into pieces and lighting it on fire so that it becomes a puddle of ashes on the dry inkstone.

"I will not stay here to be insulted like this!" Madam Yu barks out, her body so full of anger and hurt pride that she's vibrating on the spot.

"Why don't you go, then?"

It is unclear whose voice that is, but in the ominous silence that follows it, the words echo around the Great Hall.

Madam Yu looks sharply around, trying to identify who would have said something so atrociously disrespectful to her, and then failing in this as well, picks up the shreds of her dignity and walks out.

Jiang YanLi grabs her brother, and they hurry to join their guardian. Meanwhile, the Jiang and Meishan Yu disciples are flustered as they rise, unsure if they're staying or going. Ultimately, they decide to leave.

"Good riddance." Someone else mutters as soon as the swish of robes quietens away.

A few titters break out, and it might have turned into something a little rowdy, a celebration after the fact, but Lan Qiren thinks it's time to regain control of the situation.

"Enough." That single word spoken with a measured control reminds those in attendance exactly where they are and what is expected of them. Lan Qiren looks around the room and resumes the agenda of the meeting.

As people rise cautiously to voice their troubles, Lan Qiren thinks the atmosphere is greatly lighter altogether, and how great of an impact it is with the removal of the cantankerous Bitch.

An exciting conference, indeed.

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

During the day while the conference goes on, it is nigh impossible to move an inch without his Baba noticing, Xue Yang thinks as he walks silently towards the guest house. It's close to dinnertime and everyone will be waiting for him, but he's on a legitimate errand and he's also quite hungry.

Lan Qiren sent him to the kitchen to get a parcel that one of the cooks forgot to send, and so he's hurrying back when he hears voices. Years of sneaking around make him pause outside a thick hedgerow that hides his presence, and he listens intently, recognising two of the three voices. He peers in through the gap between the lush green leaves, hoping the shine glancing off them will camouflage his white robes.

It is Jin ZiXun and Su She staring at a third person obscured by the wall of the building they're standing outside of, engrossed in a tense conversation, it looks like.

"How dare that old goat try to discipline us!" Jin ZiXun retorts angrily. "If we were back at Koi Tower, there's no one who would dare to punish me for telling the truth. Isn't that Wei Ying just a smart mouth son of a servant? Did I actually tell a lie?"

"No, you didn't." This is the third unknown voice of the person hidden out of sight, being supportive.

"You outrank him by far!" Su She, coward that he is, simpers, forgetting how he had casually given his friend up the day before, as if he did not matter.

"How would you like to show them up? These Lans who think they are above everyone, acting like they're so superior all the time?" The secret person feeds them verbal poison, an obvious attempt to manipulate them.

"Show them up? How?" Jin ZiXun is immediately interested, leaning forward.

Even Su She takes the bait, nodding slowly.

"Old Man Lan Qiren has been warning us to stay away from the Mingshi, right? What do you suppose he's hiding in there?" The slimy voice continues.

"I don't know. Isn't that supposed to be some kind of suppression room?" Jin ZiXun turns to Su She for confirmation.

"Yeah, but I bet he's all bluster," Su She retorts. "I bet there's nothing of substance in there. I mean, why would the old goat make such a song and dance about it? Clearly, he's trying to make his Sect look cooler than it is!"

"Well then, this is your chance to show him up," the voice continues. "You could break in and show everyone what a fraud he is."

"What if there's nothing inside?"

"Then you expose him for being the liar that he is. Worst case scenario is finding something in there. But I'm sure cultivators of your calibre wouldn't think twice about destroying some low level yao, right? It's a chance to show your expertise," this is aimed at Su She. "You can prove to your father that you belong here, that you are just as good as any Lan cultivator, and he's wrong for chewing you out like that. No one should be humiliated in front of their peers like that, let me tell you."

"You're right," Su She agrees. "My father doesn't know anything about cultivation. How can he lecture me about my conduct when he has no experience of his own?"

"My point exactly. But I totally get it if you want to chicken out. An opportunity like this doesn't come along every day, so if you want to back out, tell me now. I can find someone better."

That's exactly the fuel needed to fire up their egos because both Jin ZiXun and Su She vehemently deny that they'll "chicken out".

"Hang on a minute," Jin ZiXun says unexpectedly. "Who are you? And why are you wearing that stupid mask?"

"Oh, I'm a nobody," the stranger says.

"Then why do you want to get back at Lan Qiren?" Su She asks him.

"Old Man Lan has got it out for me, ever since I joined the Lan Clan. This is my chance to restore some balance, that's why I'm invested. But if you don't want to help..." he lets that hang.

"Why can't you do it, then?" Jin ZiXun proves there's at least one active braincell.

"He'll know it was me. Do you know what the punishment is if the copying out of the rules doesn't work?"

Both Jin ZiXun and Su She shake their heads.

"It's the bastinado. If that doesn't work, it's the Discipline whip. So, no thank you."

"Wow...understandable. But there's one thing wrong with your plan. Both of us are stuck in the library. When exactly do you think we can pull it off? We are constantly supervised." Jin ZiXun tells the stranger.

"You just leave that to me. I'll provide a distraction. When that happens, make a run for it. The Mingshi isn't that far from the library. Listen, I better go..."

Xue Yang doesn't hang around after that, trying not to run back to the guest house where his family is waiting for him.

He slams the door open, ready to tell them everything, and then-

"SURPRISE!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, XUE YANG!"

The chorus of voices completely throws him off kilter and Xue Yang looks around. Everyone is wearing silly pointy hats, all colourful and bright, and someone has hung multicoloured paper chains all across the ceiling, the three tables pushed together are draped in some shiny gold fabric, and the plates and bowls are the fancy kind.

Both his Baba and Wei-Shushu look out of breath as if they had to rush to get things in place, because the guest house surely hadn't looked like this when they'd sent Xue Yang out earlier.

But even more important are the three people standing behind his family.

Somehow, Song Lan, Xiao XingChen and A-Qing are here. They must have flown all the way from Baixue Temple nonstop to make it here on time. Hugs and kisses are shared as Xue Yang is congratulated on his eighth birthday, and everyone cheers loudly when he gets to A-Qing. He's got so much to tell her!

Lan Qiren opens the parcel from the cook, the excuse for getting Xue Yang out of the guest house so they could set everything up for the special little boy, and he cries when he sees longevity noodles especially for him. There is a selection of shou buns filled with lotus seeds, sweet rice balls, spring rolls and a basket of oranges.

Song Lan and Xiao XingChen have brought him tanghulu, and A-Qing hands him a bag of pear syrup candy.

"Presents later," Lan Qiren says, making everyone sit down and start eating.

The rule for not speaking during meals is relaxed because it's such a special occasion, and the talk is full of catching up with whatever everyone has been up to.

A-Qing tells them about the circus that had performed near Baixue Temple, how the acrobats had flown through the air and the jugglers had defied the laws of nature with their acts. She told them about how sad she felt for the bears and elephants that were trained to do tricks, and how the fire-eaters had swallowed down swords in feats of bravery.

Everyone is thoroughly entertained.

Once everyone has finished eating, the table cleared away from the meal, Lan Qiren gives Xue Yang his first present.

"Why didn't you say anything about your birthday, son? It was only lucky that Xiao XingChen wrote me an urgent missive because A-Qing remembered it in time."

"I didn't know what day it was," Xue Yang admits honestly, and they all break out into laughter.

"Don't ever forget it again," Cangse Sanren warns him with a twinkle in her eye.

Xue Yang bows towards her.

"Open it," Lan Qiren says, tapping the beautifully wrapped silver cloth in his hands, wresting attention away from Cangse Sanren purposefully.

She winks back, letting him win this little competition. As it is in good faith, intended to make Xue Yang aware of how much he is valued here, she backs off intentionally.

Xue Yang carefully teases the bow to open, revealing a little music box. When he winds it up, it plays a lovely little melody and when the song finishes, a hidden drawer opens.

"You can put your forehead ribbon in that," Lan Qiren tells him, when Xue Yang hugs him to say thank you.

One after another, there are many gifts to open. Xue Yang receives a set of brushes made in some fancy distant province, a bracelet charm to keep him safe, a colourful kite, a bow and arrow set, a jade pendant and a rare map.

"I didn't know you would be coming," Xue Yang tells A-Qing.

He looks at all of the presents laid out in front of him, and then he bursts into tears. Lan Qiren gathers him into his arms and holds him tightly, thanking whatever miracle that brought this child into his care.

"I wanted the best cultivators here for the day after tomorrow," he tells the little boy. "So they came a little bit earlier just to celebrate you, and how much you mean to us. There's also another surprise for you and A-Qing, but more on that later."

"What's happening on the day after tomorrow?" Xue Yang asks him, momentarily confused with so much going on.

"Remember? We're going to destroy the Yin Iron," Lan Qiren whispers.

And just like that, Xue Yang remembers what he had to tell them.