"Halt!"

Jiang Cheng growled. "Oh come on, not NOW! The woman's nearly dead, can't you see? Let us in."

"Gongzi, please."

"I'm Head Disciple Jiang, let me in."

"Jiang Gongzi should know even Sect Leader Jiang can't enter without a token," the Lan guards coldly retaliated.

"Token!" Zhen Yuan shouted, his voice a whimpering mess of tears. "I forgot, I forgot. Here!" He delved into his robes and pulled out a white slab.

"Hanguang-Jun's jade token? Ah, you're Wei Gongzi's A-Yuan?" The guard nodded. "Apologies, little one," the guard smiled and stepped aside quickly to let them run in.

Jiang Cheng, running towards the compound with Yuan holding his robes and Madam Zhen on his back, couldn't help but smile wondering how close Zhen Yuan must be to Wei Wuxian for the guards to call him his.

"A-CHENG!" Wei Wuxian gasped, stopping in his tracks towards a classroom. "What are– A-Yuan? What's wrong with Madam Zhen?"

"XIAN-GEGE!" Zhen Yuan ran forth and fell to his knees, hugging Wei Wuxian's legs and sobbing uncontrollably.

"A-Yuan?" Lan Zhan ran in from nowhere.

Wei Wuxian picked the sobbing boy up. "Hush, hush, we'll do something okay? A-Cheng?"

"She's not breathing."

"WHAT?"

Lan Zhan nodded to Jiang Wanyin. "Jingshi. Now."

**********

Doctor Lan's face gave no signs but a frown.

Wei Wuxian stood outside the Jingshi with A-Yuan on his shoulder while Lan Zhan and Jiang Cheng waited inside to listen to the doctor.

"Wuxian!"

"Xichen-ge?" Wei Wuxian turned to see Lan Xichen hurrying down the path.

"The guards told me Little Yuan came crying. What's going on?"

"Shh!" Wei Wuxian kept a finger to his lips when he sensed Yuan about to break into sobs again. He signalled to the door; Lan Xichen nodded and walked into the Jingshi.

"Wanyin?!"

Jiang Cheng nodded to him without looking, merely asserting he heard and returning a silent, cold greeting.

"Xiongzhang," Lan Zhan walked closer.

Lan Xichen decided it wasn't the best time to tackle Jiang Cheng. "Wangji, what's happening?"

"I..." The doctor rose from the bed right at that moment and sighed. "Am truly sorry. All these weeks we tried our best to help her." Gulping, he turned around and shook his head at the three men. "Madam Zhen is no more. Apologies and condolences, Lan Wangji. I did my best."

Lan Zhan swilled down his saliva and nodded gravely. "Mn. Thank you, Doctor."

Lan Xichen buried his face in his hands. "No no no... how on earth are we to tell that to Little Yuan?"

"Wei Ying will do it."

"Right," Jiang Cheng nodded. "A-Xian knows it well." 

**********

"Mama's cured," Zhen Yuan rubbed his nose as he sat on the grass with Wei Wuxian. It was two days after that fateful afternoon, Madam Zhen had been buried and Zhen Yuan had no more tears left. He sat on Lan Wangji's lap while Wuxian, Xichen and Wanyin listened to him.

Jiang Wanyin was staying here for the moment, the little boy was curiously attached to the four of them too much to let any of them go so soon.

"Cured?" Lan Zhan asked.

"Mhm. Mama's cured now. She's better and safer. She's gone to see Baba."

"Good boy," Wei Wuxian smiled and wiped the tears from his face.

"Wei Ying?"

"Don't worry, Lan Zhan; no lies, no fairytales. My A-Yuan's understanding and strong, right?"

"HM!" Zhen Yuan bobbed his head forcefully. "Xian-gege, will Mama come back, though? After seeing Baba?"

Wei Wuxian sighed. "Think this way. Did Baba come back?"

Zhen Yuan shook his head.

"Same for Mama. You see, A-Yuan, the place where they go to is a beautiful palace. They're gone from this world to a better world, you know? It's much better there."

"Then why can't I go there too?"

Xichen gasped in horror. "A-Yuan!"

A-Yuan pouted, wondering how he hurt them. "But... why? If it's better? If it's a palace...?"

"Yeah, it really would be a much better place, eh?" Jiang Cheng shrugged. "He's got a point you know."

Wei Wuxian frowned. "I'll catch you later. A-Yuan, no. It's like this. You've heard of God, yes?"

Nod. Nod.

"Well, God does something like this. If he sees you in pain, and will only continue to be sad in this world, he'll whisk you away to that beautiful palace, to his own world. It's what we call 'Heaven'. But if he thinks you'll do great in this world, even if you're crying now, someday later you'll find happiness, then he'll let you stay here."

"Oh," Yuan nodded.

"Yeah right. And if you're suffering for eternity but he still won't take you? Guess that means I ain't even worth his palace?"

"A-Cheng, I know you're mumbling but I heard that."

"Sorry."

"Remind me to have a chat with you later." 

Jiang Cheng sulked and looked away.

"But..." Zhen Yuan pouted. "Mama and Baba are both gone... what do I do now?"

"That's sorted," Lan Zhan patted his head. "All that's left is to talk to the Elders."

"About what?" Wei Wuxian turned to him.

"Adopting him."

Xichen smiled. "Wangji, I know you're definitely of age and even married, but you know you can't randomly adopt a child, there are official-"

"He has no other relatives, and I'm his closest blood relative."

"But- wait what? Blood relative?"

"Lan Zhan!" Wei Wuxian whispered and tugged on his sleeve. 

Lan Wangji shook his head. "It's fine. Has to be done."

Wei Wuxian huffed, "Oh no you won't... this is bad... Shifu will be mad!"

"Can't help. No choice. Shufu will understand."

Xichen frowned. "Someone tell me what's going on!" 

**********

"What?!"

SLAM!

The scroll in his hand slammed down on his table and Lan Qiren rose to his feet.

"Liuhua's nephew?"

"Yes, Shufu," Lan Wangji answered: expression solemn, cold, unwavering.

"After all that's happened in the past, you still dare to bring such a close relative of hers into Cloud Recesses? Wangji!"

"Relative?" Lan Wangji's eyes seemed aglow with wonder. "I'm her son myself."

"Wangji," Xichen nudged him to stick to the formal bit.

Though he did have a point... The oh-so disreputable Madam Lan's own sons were here, what's wrong with bringing a nephew?

"Shufu, when Mother and Father passed away, Shufu took care of us. All I ask is to let me do the same."

Lan Xichen was staring aghast by now. Since when was Lan Zhan this... daring? Speaking up loud and clear against his dear Shufu? This was... mind-blowing.

And irritatingly enough, he KEPT stating undeniable FACTS!

Lan Qiren glowered at his favourite nephew. An uncle himself, only he knew that one could love a cousin or nephew like their own son. And Lan Wangji was using that point in defence? Why, this boy seems to have changed...

Or maybe this was him all along.

One of the Elders pursed his lips. "Lan Wangji, you know better than anyone the strictness of our sect against Madam Lan. To adopt such a close child of one who murdered a Lan teacher–"

"But a child." 

"True, but when that child grows up one day? When the world outside starts to talk behind his back about who he is?"

Lan Wangji could really do with a tree to punch down right now. Zhen Yuan wasn't a lovechild or bastard or anything terrible for society to talk against him. Matter of fact, the only people who WOULD talk behind his back would be the Lans themselves.

That wouldn't be a problem would it? If he was Hanguang-Jun's and Wei Gongzi's son, the Lans' gossip could be dealt with easily. Not to mention, Lan Xichen—

"If I interfere, I'm sure nothing of the sort would happen. Both as Chief Cultivator and Sect Leader Lan," Lan Xichen cut into his thoughts. Clearly, both had been thinking the same.

Lan Qiren scowled, face dark as storm clouds. 

"Track that child's other relatives and hand him over. Now."

"Shufu!"

"Wang-JI!"

"Shufu, please-"

"Not another word. You do as I say."

Lan Zhan clenched his fist. "Shufu, I always have. Always. I only ask to disobey once."

"DISOBEY?"

"A-Yuan is tearing apart with loss. Grieving, orphaned, homeless. I won't have him thrown on the streets." Lan Zhan stood and bowed to his brother. "Xiongzhang."

"Wangji..." Lan Xichen sighed sombrely. "I can't do much without the Elders' consent because this is a Lan sect lineage matter, you know?"

"Xiongzhang. Please." Lan Wangji rose again. "Even if it isn't possible, I still will keep A-Yuan in the Jingshi. I'm sorry, Shufu," he bowed and walked towards the door.

Lan Qiren was furious. "Lan. WANG. JI!"

A thick brick-sized scroll came hurling past Lan Zhan's head slamming into the wall beside the open door, making him stop.

"Qian-gege!"

Lan Zhan's eyes swelled. "A-Yuan?"

"Qian-gege!" Zhen Yuan ran into the hall and hugged Lan Zhan's legs, standing in front of him. "Don't hit Qian-gege!"

"A-Yuan, get here!" Wei Wuxian ran in. "I... erm... s- sorry..." he gulped when he saw Lan Qiren standing and glaring. "A-Yuan I TOLD you to stay put!"

"He was hitting Qian-gege!" Zhen Yuan shrieked and pouted.

"What?" Wei Wuxian looked around and spotted the scroll lying on the floor with a dent in the wall. The attack had been that forceful.

Had it actually hit Lan Zhan's head...

"Shifu!" Wei Ying turned to Lan Qiren. "Why on earth?"

"Wei Ying! Stop shouting. Wangji, get that Zhen child out of here."

Wei Wuxian looked desperately at Lan Xichen, who seemed just as hopeless.

"He stays in the Jingshi," Lan Wangji grumbled and turned around again. Lan Qiren got down from his seat and walked over to the door. Lan Zhan's expression changed in a flash from angry to ultimate worried, quickly picking up Zhen Yuan and cradling him close in his arms.

Wei Wuxian stood in between the Lans, covering Lan Zhan and A-Yuan, scowling at Lan Qiren. "Shifu," he called out in a warning tone, gripping Chenqing tight.

"The Elders and I have spoken already and yet you defy and disobey. Lan Wangji, do you realise you've broken one of our most important rules?"

"I didn't mean to disrespect the Elders."

"Wei Ying," Lan Qiren spoke in a low tone. "Get that child out of here. It has been quite long, Wangji."

Wei Wuxian frowned. Been long? Long for what? Long since... Punishment? What's the punishment for disrespecting the Elders... writing scripts? Copying rules? Handstands? No-no-no... think, Wei Ying, think—

Whip of Discipline!!!???

"Shifu, NO."

"No what?"

"No whipping Lan Zhan."

That did the trick.

"NO. HITTING. QIAN-GEGE!"

The one squealing scream echoed in the hall, as fierce as the glowering little, scarlet, furious face of the boy in Lan Zhan's hands.

The Elders and Lan Xichen gawked, open-mouthed, for never had any child ever shouted at Lan Qiren. The only ones who'd ever dared talk THAT loud against Lan Qiren were Cangse Sanren and Wei Wuxian, back in their school days.

But a four-year-old toddler? Never.

Lan Qiren blinked.

The Elder from before tapped his chin, invisibly grinning. Intriguing boy. Come to think of it. Pale skin, dark hair, close to Wangji and Xichen, ever so daring... I wonder if Zhen Yuan... is Madam Lan's reincarnation? Surely Qiren will give her a second chance then?