The spring was glowing brighter as a glowering sun declared the dawn of summer. A gentle summer breeze drifted through the treetops, tousled the light leaves, wrapped around Lan Wangji's feet, fiddled with his billowing and dancing robes before zooming past his silky hair. Somewhere in that breeze lingered a long-lost melody...

A melody played far away, quite a while ago, but not lost altogether. A single note held onto the draught, whistling past Lan Wangji's ear, greeting him with the familiar feel of Chenqing's beautiful music.

Wei Wuxian's spiritual flute. He wasn't too far away.

Not like I can go find him anyway, Lan Zhan sighed. A-Ying... please be alright, he prayed, walking closer to the gates.

"Hanguang-Jun," the guards bowed.

"Mn," he nodded.

Once the guards rose their heads, they looked at each other anxiously. Anxious, reluctant...

"You don't have to force me, I'm not going anywhere," Lan Wangji nodded again, understanding as always.

"Thank you, Hanguang-Jun."

"Hanguang-Jun, is there anything...?"

Lan Wangji nodded. He looked over there shoulders into the distant hills. "Did... he say anything when leaving?"

"No– er... actually..."

"Wei Gongzi asked us to... inform him if..." both guards pursed their lips, unsure if Wei Gongzi would have minded them telling this or not.

"Inform him if Jin Gongzi comes to Cloud Recesses?" Lan Zhan asked, still staring at the hills.

The guards nodded relievedly.

One spoke up, "That, and also if Hanguang-Jun goes anywhere."

Lan Zhan blinked once. Me? Why me? "Mn," he nodded and walked back to the Jingshi.

Inform him, how? The specific Lan method? Meaning I can send him messages by the Lan butterfly and he'll read?

...he probably misunderstood what I said, he wouldn't want to talk to me...

Plopping down on his seat, he pinched his forehead. What have I done...?

No, he'll understand.

'And also if Hanguang-Jun goes anywhere'...

Still worried about me? Then maybe he did understand. Lan Zhan patted his chest. Calm down, Lan Wangji, A-Ying's too smart to take your words wrongly.

"BABA!"

"Sizhui," Lan Zhan turned around on his seat and opened his arms wide. Weilan Yuan ran into his arms and hugged him tight, squealing happily about how he had won a race against Lan Jingyi.

"Mn........ Mn........ Good."

"Baba, on the way here I met Shushu, and he told me to pass you a message..."

"Mn, speak."

"He told you to get two suits ready...? He said you already have one, but you need to find one for me and send both our suits to be laundered a bit. Why, Baba? What are 'suits'? Fancy costumes?" His eyes were aglow with wonder and excitement.

Lan Zhan smiled. "Not really. Just a more formal dress worn for parties."

"Fancier?"

"...sort of."

"We're going to a PARTY!" Weilan Yuan hopped on his father's lap. "Who's? Where? When, why, how?"

"Jiang Guniang's. Lotus Pier, Yunmeng. In two days, for her birthday, by boat."

"Jiang Gu...niang...? Oh, Xiao-shu's name is Jiang something too!"

"Jiang Wanyin?"

"Yes!"

"Mn, Jiang Guniang is Jiang Yanli, your Xiao-shu's sister."

"Oh? So Diedie's sister, too?"

"Diedie's senior martial sister."

"Diedie's shijie? So my Gugu!"

Lan Zhan couldn't help but feel his smile broadening at the sight of Weilan Yuan's joy of realising his family was getting bigger and bigger each day. "Yes, Gugu."

"HURRAY! I have a gugu! I have a gugu! I have a gugu! I– Baba... Is... Will Diedie be coming to the party? It's his shijie's, no? He will, right?"

Lan Zhan sighed. All he could say was the same as he said to Lan Xichen. A point-blank and yet vague reply.

"I don't know."

A golden butterfly fluttered up from the table towards the window. Shrieking with delight, Weilan Yuan chased after it, all the way to the window, over which he almost toppled over. Just when he reached over the windowpane and almost fell to the other side, he felt a firm grip on his waist picking him up onto a pair of firm shoulders.

"Hehe, thank you, Baba."

"Be careful, or Diedie will scold us both when he comes back, if you're injured."

Weilan Yuan sighed and stared out the window, watching the golden butterfly float away, pouting, mumbling under his breath... "Diedie..."

**********

Gentle whistling snores drifted through the woods, patting the treetops and playing with the grass, blowing gentle, sharp, clear and soft, filling up the tranquil atmosphere. A golden butterfly brilliant as the sun fluttered through the branches and rested atop a figure cloaked in black and red. The beautiful aureate light of the spiritual messenger faded into ashes at the touch of the black smoky aura surrounding the figure.

The woods... were bright, luscious green, and tender.

The figure...

Seemed odd...

Dark, inky black and bloody red, and so... so cold...

It was like the winter frost had settled mid-summer.

A black and red fan hid the figure's face. But upon the landing (and death) of the butterfly, a pair of brilliant crimson eyes shot open. The fan fell to the ground and the man leapt down from the tree branch, landing perfectly on his feet, to pick it up.

The black face — suddenly lit up with a flashing smile. The dark aura vanished in a snap and crimson eyes faded into a mercurial sheen.

"Party in two days at Lotus Pier? It's been a week or more since we left... I almost forgot!" His voice was summery and sweet–

"Ah... so it's also time for Meng Yao to take action." How did the voice with the tinkle of sunshine abruptly transform into an icy thunderstorm? "We better get going, Chenqing, it's a long trip."

A long and slippery creature whose scales gleamed sparklier than snow snaked its way through the grass to wrap around the man's long legs. Snow-white body, blood-red eyes, just like its master: the serpent slithered up its master's legs and nudged its head against his palm. 

Zing! Gone was the snake.

And in its stead... sat a beautiful black flute with a crimson tassel hanging from the belt, fluttering and entangling with the red hair-ribbon, as the tall and strange double-faced man treaded across the forest, flapping his elegant fan.

**********

Lotus Pier was bustling with crowds and cheer and joy, for their eldest disciple, the Sect Leader's eldest child and only daughter, now also the wife of the Jin sect's heir, was celebrating her birthday. And boy, was the part glamorous! Thrilled to have their Shijie back with them for a day, the Jiang children and seniors had decorated the place impeccably, to the point that it sparkled like a glowing lotus on its own. Jiang Fengmian and Madam Yu welcomed the guests, while at the centre of it all...

"Wanyin shixiong, I got the cakes!"

"Put them there, get the maids to distribute them out to the tables so whoever came can tuck in already."

"Wanyin shixiong, why so soon?" Yet another junior.

"It's a long trip here."

"True, true."

"Wanyin shixiong, are the Lans coming today?"

"Yes, the Twin Jades and little Sizhui have been invited."

"Ahhh thank goodness Shifu's not coming, haha!"

"Eyyyy so da-shixiong will be here too!"

The Jiangs began cheering happily and Jiang Cheng nodded. "He won't come with them, he's gone out of Cloud Recesses for two weeks now. But yes, he won't miss A-Jie's party."

"Goodie! Oh look, the Lans!"

The Lans were the last to arrive along with some others, so Madam Yu guided them into the hall and Jiang Fengmian took his Lotus seat. Jiang Yanli stood upfront with Jin Zixuan by her side, bowing to the guests. "Xichen-ge!" Both beamed.

"Zixuan, Yanli-mei, good to see you again. Happy birthday, meimei," Lan Xichen smiled.

"Thank you." Jiang Yanli smiled at Lan Wangji. "Lan Wangji."

"Yanli-jie," Lan Zhan inclined his head. "Happy birthday."

Yanli was thrilled to hear that. "Hehe, thanks."

Jin Zixuan frowned. "Lan Wangji, where's Wei Wuxian?"

Lan Zhan pursed his lips and looked down.

Lan Xichen glared at him before facing the couple again. "Wuxian still didn't come back — but he knows about the party."

"A-Cheng!" Jiang Yanli waved.

"A-Jie?" Jiang Wanyin moved away from the guests for a bit to smile at his sister. "What's the matter?"

"Look, your friends!" She subtly winked.

Jiang Cheng could only return a sad smile to her. "Ah, Lan Wangji. Greetings."

"Mn," Lan Zhan nodded., gulping at the tension between Lan Xichen and Jiang Wanyin. "Erm..."

Zixuan sighed, guessing what was going on. "Well, where's the little one?"

And so they talked for another half-hour, all the guests concentrating their attention on Jiang Yanli playing with her dear nephew. Weilan Yuan. Everything from his surname to his pretty face was intriguing. Not to mention whatever was going on between his once-loving fathers...

"Though I have to say," Jiang Fengmian grinned merrily over the wine. "This time's summer sure is sunny."

"Right? Damn warm," Jin Guangshan shook his head. "Must be because of the heat, but Zixun went into a rage couple days ago too. See? Still grumpy," he nodded to his nephew seated at a side: arms crossed, brows furrowed, moping angrily.

"You didn't have to force him to come..."

"Nah, he hates Zixuan but finds Yanli amiable. Yanli's a good sister to everyone even at Lanling," Madam Jin beamed.

"That's my girl," Fengmian chuckled.

Yanli, on the other hand, was secretly a bit sad. Where was her darling little brother?

WHIRRRRRR-

All at once, it was as though a cold winter storm was settling on Lotus Pier's lakes. A wind so cold it could freeze the lake into a fjord. What was going on? Wasn't it still May?

Step-

......Step-

............Step-

Swish-

Came with the frosty zephyr a statue of black, pale visage concealed behind a crimson fan, jet-black hair and scarlet ribbon, jet-black flute and scarlet tassel... this man was all black and red! Who on earth...?

"A... A-Xian?" Jiang Yanli watched, terrified.

Swoosh-

Wind was gone, aura of doom retreated. As the fan was brought down and the face revealed, for a flicker of a second, not one person missed the blood-red eyes. But just as soon as the Ice King came, he was gone, and instead stood a beaming young Mister Walking Chaos.

"SHIJIE!" He ran forth and squeezed his sister in his arms.

Over her shoulder, a few steps away, stood a tall pillar of jade watching closely.

Yes, smiling like sunshine, this is A-Ying. But the dark and cold demon seconds before? Was that... was that A-Ying too? Lan Wangji pursed his lips.

Over the birthday girl's shoulder, Winter and Summer stared at each other. Lan Zhan pursed his lips at the sight of Wei Ying's meaningful gaze.

"A-Xian," Jiang Cheng marched forth. "What the hell is going on?" 

"Nice to see you too, A-Cheng."

"Tsk."

"Fine fine, now, calm down everyone," Jin Zixuan patted both their shoulders. "Wei Wuxian just got back after two weeks, give him a break, Jiang Cheng."

Jiang Cheng narrowed his eyes suspiciously at Wei Ying, who sighed and nodded. "Well... nothing much to say... I got myself some fancier robes and a beautiful fan, got a problem?"

"...at least that means you have money with you."

"How else do you expect me to feed myself these days?"

"Good."

"A-Xian," Yanli smiled and ruffled his hair. "What made you change your... style?" She looked up and down him. Black robes with red flair, hair not in a ponytail but loosely tied at the back with the red ribbon, floating long and free... "And you look so pale? Have you not eaten properly?"

"All your fault," Lan Xichen snarled at his younger brother. "Wuxian," Xichen walked forth.

"Xichen-ge, hello!"

Lan Xichen suddenly pulled him into a hug. "Sorry."

"AH? WHY are you saying sorry?"

"On behalf of him," Lan Huan lowered his voice to a whisper. "I kind of heard what he said the other day. I'm sorry you had to hear that from him."

"Aish, Xichen-ge, I'm fine, really. Lan Zhan didn't do anything wrong."

"Then why did you leave?"

"Er..." Wei Ying scratched his nape with the fan. "Ehehe..." Someone please save me! 

"WEI-XIONG!"

"Nie-xiong!"

Nie Huaisang ran to him. "Goodness, is this the fan I gave you?"

"Mhm."

"You met him?" Lan Xichen and Jiang Wanyin both glared at him. "And didn't tell us?!"

"I... sorry..."

"Haha, it's fine," Wei Wuxian waved his fan. "I went to visit him just for five minutes and a cup of wine. Gave me this as a token of friendship."

"But what I gave you was a regular fan for you to design on, but DAMN! Such good designing skills!" He leant in closer. "The black background and red roses on it... elegant, dark, spooky. Amazing! How did you paint?"

"Black is a paint I made from ashes."

"..."

"A-Xian, did I hear that right? Ashes?"

"Yep."

"...O...kay..." Jiang Yanli gulped. "Ah, must be firewood and stuff. Then the red?"

Though for some reason... she wished she didn't ask.

Woman's intuition, perhaps.

"Blood," Wei Wuxian flapped his elegant fan casually.

Lan Wangji's eyes were larger than wine bowls now. Ashes? Blood? Aura dark as doom?

...no way.

No freaking way...

He didn't...!

"What's so scary, just animal blood!" Wei Wuxian laughed. "Couple soul-eaters I found. Had to save money, couldn't buy paint. Well? Pretty, eh?"

Nie Huaisang nodded. "Beautiful," he reached out and traced his fingers along the bloody roses — and retracted his hand just as fast, hissing.

"What's wrong, A-Sang?"

"Ahaha, nothing, Er-Ge," Nie Huaisang waved his hand with a side-glance to Wei Wuxian, who nodded gratefully.

Had anyone realised this fan burns the skin of any who dare to touch it... and can also kill... they'd surely know what's up. Too many people here, I can't risk it.

"Ah, well." Wei Ying stuffed the fan in his sleeve and took a cake. "To Shijie's long life and well-being!"

"Hurray!" The Jiangs cheered. Luckily their conversation had stayed low-volume and none else had heard much.

"Ahem," Madam Jin tapped her table. "Everyone, a moment, please. A-Li has something to say."

Yanli nodded her gratitude and smiled at them all. "Erm.. Actually, the reason I was waiting for A-Xian to come to start this properly... was I have something to say... a special announcement."

"Mm?" Jin Zixuan looked up from his stuffed platter of cakes. "Announcement?"

"You don't even know?" Jiang Cheng smirked.

"What a husband," Wei Wuxian high-fived his brother. "Peacock."

"Oi!"

"Boys," Yanli sighed.

"Sorry!"

"Erm... the announcement..." she scratched her nape hard. Deciding to spit it out before she cowered away from the idea, she opened her mouth and spluttered, "Zixuan-is-going-to-be-a-father!"

Crash! Clatter! In a moment, the plate of cakes was in pieces on the floor and the Jin sect heir had picked his wife up in his arms, twirling her around the hall to everyone's laughter.

"OI PUT MY SISTER DOWN!"

"Ey, let them be for a while," Wei Wuxian smiled. "The joy for a couple when they have a child... just exquisite. You wouldn't understand."

"Hmph, definitely not in this life I won't."

"Speaking of which, where's my child?"

"A-Yuan? Why leave him if you care about him?"

"I had to, I went on a task."

"Yeah right. Well, he's out playing with the little Jiang kids. I say, will he join our sect instead of the Lans someday?"

"Time will tell."