Lan Xichen understood his uncle's confusion. Lan Xichen would have been going through the same thing himself if he had not been warned. As is, he was at least aware that this topic was going to come up. He also had the luxury of understanding Wei Wuxian's primary motivation for returning. Wei Wuxian had devoted a lot of time and energy to protecting Cloud Recesses, knowing that it would be attacked. Lotus Pier would also be attacked and, from the description that had been given, Lan Xichen knew the aftermath of that battle had been far worse. Wei Wuxian would be no less committed to protecting Lotus Pier, even if Lan Xichen felt that Wei Wuxian should probably stay far away from there.

"I'm still the head disciple of the YunmengJiang sect. I can't just disappear indefinitely." Wei Wuxian reasoned. Lan Qiren had a strange look on his face. He was staring rather intensely at Wei Wuxian. Brows fluctuating between furrowed in disapproval and raised in something like mild surprise, Lan Qiren's lips were pressed in a firm line. Wei Wuxian didn't know what it meant, and he wasn't sure if he liked it. It sometimes seemed disapproving, which Wei Wuxian was used to seeing on Lan Qiren's face even if this seemed a little different than before. Lan Qiren didn't say anything and Wei Wuxian was feeling even more nervous now. He rubbed his neck trying to relieve the tension.

"Additionally once classes end there is only a month until the discussion conference in Qishan. I'll be expected to participate in the archery competition for YunmengJiang sect, as I am sure Lan Zhan is expected to participate for GusuLan sect. Sect Leader Jiang usually asks me to help decide which disciples will participate in competitions." Wei Wuxian explained. Lan Qiren's eyebrows did that thing where they quirked up again. On anyone else's face Wei Wuxian would suspect the expression might mean surprised and impressed. Since there was no way Lan Qiren would ever be impressed by him, Wei Wuxian was left completely lost as to what the elder was thinking.

"Wuxian, If you're certain about wanting to spend some time at Lotus Pier that is your decision. Meanwhile with the new barrier, it would be much safer to perform when there were no visitors within Cloud Recesses. Perhaps you could delay your return by a week or two? Afterwards you and Wangji could visit Lotus Pier and then travel together for the discussion conference in Qishan." Lan Xichen suggested. Wei Wuxian watched as Lan Qiren frowned slightly.

'Well that should be expected I guess. I can't imagine he is happy about the betrothal, so even if he doesn't say anything he probably isn't thrilled about us spending time together. I'm guessing no one told him Lan Zhan and I have been basically living together for months. He'd probably go into qi deviation.' Wei Wuxian held back a sigh. Lan Qiren cleared his throat drawing everyone's intention.

"Then after the discussion conference you could travel with us back to Cloud Recesses." Lan Qiren stated with that same weird expression on his face that Wei Wuxian couldn't decipher.

Wei Wuxian was a little disappointed, but not surprised. Lan Qiren naturally didn't want the two of them spending time together. Of course he would suggest Lan Wangji returning with them after the conference. Wei Wuxian tried not to show visible disappointment. True, he hadn't actually talked to Lan Wangji about this yet, but Wei Wuxian had already been assuming he would have to go alone. It wasn't like Lan Wangji could abandon his duties whenever he felt like it. It wasn't reasonable to expect Lan Wangji to come with him when Wei Wuxian returned to Lotus Pier.

Wei Wuxian noticed Lan Wangji suddenly still. It made Wei Wuxian feel warm inside that Lan Wangji might be disturbed by that suggestion. If Wei Wuxian was being honest, he didn't want to go back to Lotus Pier. For many reasons. There was the horrible thought in his head that told Wei Wuxian that he was the problem. He was why the Jiang's were all in conflict. He was the reason Lotus Pier was attacked. He was the reason they died. A tiny voice in his head that sounded a little bit like Lan Zhan told him these things weren't true, but it was hard to fully believe that.

The main reason was that Wei Wuxian wasn't sure he could remain functional if he entered Lotus Pier. Lotus Pier was filled with ghosts. Everyone living and walking inside Lotus Pier was months away from death. Almost no one survived. Wei Wuxian could still clearly describe what it looked like after the battle. He wasn't sure how to handle talking with those disciples, alive, when he had already seen their corpses.

Wei Wuxian turned towards Lan Xichen and saw a look of surprise transforming into a pleased smile. That seemed odd. Was Lan Xichen surprised that Lan Qiren wanted Lan Wangji to come back right after the discussion conference? Wei Wuxian wasn't sure what to make of this look.

"I think that makes a lot of sense. You both can visit Lotus Pier before the discussion conference, and afterwards the two of you could travel with us back to Cloud Recesses." Lan Xichen said with a pleased smile. Wei Wuxian's eyes widened.

'Did... did Xichen-ge add that, or did Lan Qiren actually mean to suggest both Lan Zhan and I come back, not just Lan Zhan?' Before Wei Wuxian could put his words together Lan Wangji responded.

"Mn." Lan Wangji agreed firmly. The tone almost sounded eager. Wei Wuxian felt lost. He was certain he understood what everyone was saying, but what was happening didn't make any sense.

'Why would Lan Qiren ever invite me back?' Wei Wuxian couldn't get over this thought.

"How long does Wei Ying need at Lotus Pier?" Lan Wangji inquired as he turned to Wei Wuxian. Wei Wuxian blinked a few times.

"Um... two weeks I think?" Wei Wuxian didn't think much before he answered. He vaguely remembered trying to work out how long the protections he had planned would take to put in place. He remembered something about two weeks, but whether it was the final total or not he couldn't say.

"Then probably a little over a week after the guest disciples leave. Once the barrier is done then Wuxian and Wangji, you can both travel to Lottus Pier for a visit. Then after the discussion conference you can both return to Cloud Recesses." Lan Xichen sounded very pleased with this arrangement. Wei Wuxian sort of absently nodded his head.

'So, Lan Qiren really did just suggest I return to Cloud Recesses.' Wei Wuxian repeated in his head. A very small hopeful idea flickered in the back of Wei Wuxian's mind.

'What if Lan Qiren actually might be willing to accept me? What if I really can be with Lan Wangji without causing conflict in his family?' These were really nice thoughts, but Wei Wuxian was hesitant to hold on to them. They were rather similar to the hopes he had when he was brought to Lotus Pier. His hopes of being part of a family granted his wish, but destroyed the family around him. He got a small taste of the kind of connection he had been hoping for, but was accompanied by guilt, shame, and depression. Feelings that Wei Wuxian did not enjoy.

"Mn. Can tell Wei Ying's Shijie when visiting with her today." Lan Wangji said calmly.

"Of course. Is there anything else either of you wished to speak about?" Lan Xichen inquired. Before Wei Wuxian even recognized they were being given an opportunity to leave, Lan Wangji had already indicated they did not and was saying goodbye to his relatives before almost dragging Wei Wuxian out of the meeting.

"Lan Zhan." Wei Wuxian started but Lan Wangji gave him an unhappy glare and Wei Wuxian immediately fell silent. Wei Wuxian didn't try to say anything else until Lan Wangji had brought him inside the Jingshi and sat him down.

"Wei Ying didn't say." Lan Wangji sat with an earnest and unhappy expression. It took Wei Wuxian a second to realize what he meant.

"I didn't want you to feel like you had to come with." Wei Wuxian defended meekly. Lan Wangji's frown deepened, making Wei Wuxian sigh.

"I'm sorry. I should have told you I was planning to go back, so you could have input and decide if you wanted to come with." Wei Wuxian said apologetically.

"Mn." Lan Wangji agreed. Lan Wangji leaned forward and kissed Wei Wuxian softly.

"You're not mad?" Wei Wuxian prodded.

"No. Worried." Lan Wangji replied. "Protecting Lotus Pier is admirable but, for Wei Ying, Lotus Pier is painful." Wei Wuxian could see Lan Wangji worry, reflecting how much he cared about Wei Wuxian. Wei Wuxian climbed into Lan Wangji's lap and cuddled into Lan Wangji's chest.

"Thank you, Lan Zhan." Wei Wuxian said softly.

"Wei Ying never needs to tell me Thank you." 'Everything I do for you, is really something I am doing for me. There is nothing I love more than seeing you happy. Everything I do for you, is to try and achieve that.' Lan Wangji kiss Wei Wuxian's forehead, and tried to convey everything he was feeling. Wei Wuxian felt his face heating up at the words.

'Why is Lan Zhan so sweet!' Wei Wuxian whined internally. Wei Wuxian calmed himself down and tried to think of how to convey what Lan Wangji doing this meant to him.

"I'm really glad you'll be with me." Wei Wuxian said quietly. "I'm probably going to be a mess, and I think I'm really going to need you there." Wei Wuxian's voice came out much quieter at the end than he meant it to. Lan Wangji's arms tightened around him. Wei Wuxian let out a deep sigh as he melted into Lan Wangji's arms. Those arms held him so tight, like Lan Wangji wanted to protect him from everything that could hurt him. Wei Wuxian had spent a lot of time protecting himself. The feeling of having someone who would, and could, protect him was really nice.