When Lan Wangji came back to the hell he once refered to as his home, he felt more hopeful. Last time, he had lost his hope, his confidence. Now, however, after seeing Wei Wuxian, he already feels more successful. These many days, he had to conquer his feelings alone. But at least now he knows that he will have Wei Wuxian by him sooner or later.

He wishes, still, that he could go back in time, and see Wei Ying grow with his child. Even though Wei Wuxian said that it was fine, it wasn't, for Lan Wangji. That gives him another reason why he needed to hurry and work something out, so he could at least be there after their child is born, and Wei Wuxian won't have to raise it alone.

Early seven the next morning, there was a knock on his door. It was his uncle. "Lan Xiansheng." Lan Wangji greeted. He felt the word uncle was too much respect after what they did to him, and consequently his lover.

"Wangji, I want you to be ready in the Elegance room by nine. I have somebody you need to meet." Lan Qiren said, and left. Lan Wangji knew something was wrong. Could it be that Lan Qiren saw him sneak out? But that would be impossible with all the precautions Lan Wangji had been taking.

Any ways, Lan Wangji still went to the Elegance room at nine, dressed neatly in his blue robes. Lan Wangji also had to sneak into the gentian cottage once, and borrow his late mother's forehead band, which was almost identical to his own, since he had given his own to Wei Wuxian.

"Wangji, come, sit." Lan Xichen said, present at the elegance room with Lan Qiren and a few guests, with a warm smile. Lan Wangji, now, despised that smile. not because it wasnt as warm anymore. but because that smile had oncce made lan wangji trust his gege, who later betrayed him.

"what am i here for?" he asked coldly.

"wangji, we called you to meet Mr He, a rich merchant and landlord in Caiyi, and his beautiful daughter, He Biyu." lan qiren said. "we are expecting you to get betrothed to her."

Fire blazes in Lan Wangji's mind. "I refuse." He said, walking away, without even sparing a single glance at the said lady. He does not need to see, for he does not have any space for love in his heart for a person who isn't Wei Wuxian.

Lan Wangji walked away, till he was far enough, in the rabbit meadows, beside the cold spring. He did hear the following foot steps behind him, but he did not bother to look back. He stood by the mellow grass, staring at the spring water rippling to the soft winds.

"Wangji."

It was his brother. Lan Wangji did not respond.

"Wangji, listen to me once. We are just trying to help you."

"You are not helping me in any way." Lan Wangji said coldly. Lan Xichen sighed, walking beside his brother.

"I know, you love Wei Wuxian. But he is not the right person for you. I hate to having entrapped you like this. But─"

"Then let me free." Lan Wangji interrupted. "Let me go to Wei Wuxian. I would no longer trouble you or the Lan Sect. Besides, who are you to decide who is wrong and who is right for me?"

"Wangji, I cannot do that. I am bound to, I hope you understand. And how can I let you be with Wei Wuxian, after everything he has done? How can I trust him to keep you safe and happy? I know, i am no one to judge him, but has he left anything to not be judged? After all the crimes, after the massacre, how can I label him good enough. Can you really prove him to be innocent anymore?"

"Brother, if I say he has changed, would you believe it?" Lan Wangji replied. "If I say, he is not nearest to vile anymore, he has completely left his crafty tricks and is monitored under a immortal highly respected by the mortal world, would you believe me?"

Lan Xichen sighed. "If I be honest with you, its hard to believe. If I see the change in him, perhaps, i could believe you."

"Alright." Lan Wangji said. "I would prove it to you soon."

"Wangji, is it necessary for you to be this way? Could you not just listen to the elders once, without causing all this trouble? I might believe that Wei Wuxian is no longer an evil doer. But the rest of the mortal world would never trust him enough with the bare proof that he might have changed for the better. And even though I care about your happiness more than what others may gossip, i am not the sole person in Lan Sect, am I? As a sect leader, I need to look for not only my personal happiness, but also the safety and happiness of every member of the sect. I hope you understand me, don't you, Wangji?"