Bright and early after a failed attempt at meditation, Lan WangJi visited the drop-off point and was disappointed to see his letter still there untouched. Sighing to himself,  he went to the infirmary next, to check on Wei Ying's condition.

He inadvertently startled the young healer who was just uncovering Wei Ying's back, with a container in his hand. When he saw Lan WangJi, he pushed the jar into his hands and scarpered away, leaving Lan WangJi alone with an elderly healer on his way out.

"What is his current condition?" Lan WangJi asked, not at all perturbed by the fact that everyone seemed to want to leave whenever he entered a room.

"Those scars were done using a spiritual weapon. Even if his core is strong, and it is, they won't heal easily. Another two days of constantly applying the balm and then extensive oil therapy might help, but the scars will remain." The healer left, frowning.

Lan WangJi turned back to Wei Ying who was still asleep on his front. He was hugging the pillow, eyes shut, his beautiful long lashes resting comfortably upon rosy cheeks, the flush of sleeping still high on his golden face.

He had yet to see anyone so beautiful, so appealing in every way.

But Lan WangJi fought against these feelings, striving to remember Suibian. He forced himself to concentrate on the task at hand and so, pulling his sleeves back, he took some of the balm onto his fingers and began to apply it to Wei Ying's bare back. When the body beneath his hand shivered, Lan WangJi put the jar down and warmed the paste between his palms first before application.

His fingers pressed into the spaces between the muscles in his back, his wonder at the soft, sinewy skin melting under his ministrations. He thought of the dough his mother used to knead, to make unleavened bread sometimes when she was well enough, and thought it must have felt like this.

Wei Ying's skin was soft, and in the places where the whip had not touched, which weren't many, it was as smooth as polished marble. Along the sides of his torso, Lan WangJi could feel his ribs, and noticed the paler colour of his skin, usually hidden under his robes.

He frowned at being able to feel each rib. That in itself was disturbing...robes were usually quite loose and only a belt cinching in the waist could indicate a person's size...but this...why wasn't Wei Ying eating? What was wrong?

Wei Ying was pleasantly being roused from his sleep, but feeling more and more relaxed as his consciousness returned.

Someone was pressing out all the knots in his muscles and he felt so....liquiddy...it was just amazing. Those hands were hot too, and the slide of whatever they were using plus the heady scent of sandalwood...it was a lethal combination.

And why did everyone smell like Lan Zhan? Wei Ying moaned in delight, as his back was kneaded. There was a pause in contact and Wei Ying opened a silver eye. It widened when he saw who was massaging his back.

Lan WangJi was embarrassed. He should not be, given that he was only carrying out directions from the healers, and there was no inappropriate thoughts in his mind...until Wei Ying made that noise and Lan WangJi was suffering from symptoms again.

"Lan Zhan! What are you doing!??" Wei Ying scrambled up, and out of his reach. He grabbed his robes and covered himself, worrying about why he was half naked and in an unfamiliar place.

"Wei Ying!" Lan WangJi was now distressed for both of them, and wanting to reassure him. He held his palms up, showing that he meant no harm.

Wei Ying was looking all around him, eyes wide and seconds away from panicking.

"Where am I?" He felt disorientated...struggling to remember why he was here.

"Infirmary." Lan Zhan told him. "Wei Ying's back...?"

But instead of calming him down, as Lan WangJi had intended, this served to make him even more distressed.

"Ah...I should go...thank you for looking after me!" He struggled to dress himself.

It was pitiful for Lan WangJi to watch. And the more panicky Wei Ying became, Lan WangJi strangely became calmer, a heaviness appearing in his actions. The first thing he did, was put his hand on Wei Ying's arm.

Wei Ying jolted out of surprise but it had the desired effect, because he looked up, straight into intense golden eyes willing him to calm down.

"Wei Ying is safe." Lan WangJi told him. "No one can touch Wei Ying here."

Wei Ying stared for a few seconds...and then he nodded slowly.

"Safe." Lan WangJi told him again.

"Safe..." Wei Ying whispered, repeating that word. His focus remained on Lan WangJi's face, neither of them blinking.

"Breathe in..." Lan WangJi said, watching the way his chest was rising and falling.

Wei Ying did as he said, and realised his breaths had been short and choppy. As he calmed down, he closed his eyes, concentrating on his breathing.

"Wei Ying should lie down again. Healing paste is needed." His tone held no arguments. "Will only touch back...nowhere else." He promised.

Wei Ying let go of the robes he was clutching so tightly and lay down again, but his body was shivering. He flinched as Lan WangJi began rubbing it in again, touching only his back.

Lan WangJi was working on a new composition and it came to his mind now. Very softly, he began humming and to his secret delight, he could feel Wei Ying beginning to relax once more.

He worked in silence, and the minutes ticked by without nothing but the sound of their light breathing.

"Aren't you going to ask me about...about my back?" Wei Ying asked in a small voice.

Lan WangJi was in fact, dying to know...he paused trying to calm the sudden rage that flooded his veins at the thought of who was responsible, and so he waited until he thought he might sound normal before speaking.

"Wei Ying can tell me anything he wishes...or not. His choice." Lan WangJi continued using up all the paste, and then covered Wei Ying with a blanket, making sure to pick the softest one. Then he went and washed his hands before pulling up a chair next to his bed.

"May I?" He asked, his golden eyes so intense.

Wei Ying looked at what he wanted to do; he was holding out his hand. Wei Ying didn't let himself think about it, he stopped clutching the pillow with his left hand and gave it to him.

Lan WangJi's hand was bigger than his, and so warm. It sent a shiver up his arm, and Wei Ying closed his eyes.

"Madam Yu...she doesn't like me very much." He whispered.

Lan WangJi squeezed their joined hands. How ironic that this person, who usually couldn't stop talking, was less than loquacious now...now when Lan WangJi wanted him to open up, to say how he was so severely injured.

"You might have heard about...my punishments."

"Mn."

Silver eyes snapped open at that, full of pain.

"They often argue, Uncle Fengmian and Madam Yu, a lot actually...and it kind of ends up being my fault. Like, I'm always what they end on, you know?"

Lan WangJi nodded.

His acceptance of whatever Wei Ying wished to divulge, whether everything or just in parts, made Wei Ying braver. Lan WangJi began rubbing his thumb across Wei Ying's knuckles, and the action was both soothing and comforting, enough to make Wei Ying feel supported. He felt as if he could tell Lan WangJi anything, confide any secret, and it would remain between themselves.

"Wei Ying cannot be blamed for a bad marriage." Lan WangJi said, quietly.

"Ah...there were rumours." Wei Ying paused, trying to collect his thoughts. This part was always difficult to say, no matter whom he was talking to. "People thought...well,  it was mostly because Uncle Fengmian was really kind to me...actually, it was unfair how he seemed to notice whatever I did...more than Jiang Cheng's achievements...and because of that...because of that, there was speculation on who my father was...things got ugly. Madam Yu...she never forgave me for coming to Lotus Pier. It got to the stage that just me breathing wrong got me a punishment. The severity of it depended on her mood but ... Well...you saw my back." Wei Ying let out a breath. "Lan Zhan?" He whispered.

"Mn?"

"Is it...is it really bad?" His silver eyes were wider, trusting, no hint of anything not true. Only sincerity shone through.

And this was a difficult question to answer. Lan WangJi didn't lie, he couldn't...but if there was a time when he wished he could...it was now.

"Mn."

It was neither an affirmative nor a negative.

But Wei Ying's face fell, and it hurt Lan WangJi, for both reasons, the fact that he was injured and that Lan WangJi was the one who had to tell him how bad it was.

"No matter..." Wei Ying said shakily, trying to smile. He closed his eyes. Slowly, his breathing evened out and he fell asleep again, soothed by the hand in his.

Lan WangJi watched him sleeping, thinking about how brave he was.

To be able to sit all day in classes, and then later in the library, all day writing out the rules...and then the punishment by the plank for drinking...and not complain? To still be able to smile and joke around...how much of that was just a front, to cover his true feelings?

Lan WangJi was in quiet awe.

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

Lan XiChen sat at his desk and reconsidered his plan.

Uncle Qiren had told him he was going to think about what to do about the Jiang Head Disciple...but he himself was in a unique position.

Firstly, he was the leader of the Lan Clan. How could he sit idly by when something like this had happened, discovered while the victim was in Cloud Recesses? That factor alone begged the answer, that no, he would not. But the added information, the fact that he knew who Wei WuXian was, to his baby brother, that meant Wei WuXian should be under his protection too.

He owed at least that much to his baby brother. How could he look Lan WangJi in the face, if he did not stand up to injustice now? When it was presented to him? Lan WangJi trusted him to do what was right, and in fact, so did the entire clan.

It would be shameful not to take action. And then also, it was because Lan XiChen liked Wei WuXian.

Wei WuXian was a cheerful soul, always smiling. He was pleasant to be around, uplifting, even...and XiChen saw no reason why he should not be invited to stay at Cloud Recesses...permanently. But that alone might cause other problems...

The important thing here, would be to conduct a full investigation...and to do that, he would have to talk to the Jiang heir.

XiChen sighed.

Jiang WanYin was so...abrasive...like sandpaper.

You never knew what kind of a mood he would be in, and it was always mixed in with an unhealthy amount of anger.

Maybe he should invite Jiang YanLi to the meeting as well, she always seemed to be more level-headed than her younger brother, and certainly more affectionate. After he found out what the situation was truly like in Lotus Pier, maybe then he could plan the next move.

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

Lan WangJi waited until Wei Ying was sleeping peacefully and deeply, before leaving the infirmary. The sense of calm and serenity left him the moment he stepped outside, no longer anchored by the close proximity of Wei Ying's presence which seemed to be an antidote to the poison that was pure rage firing inside his heart.

Everything Wei Ying had told him about his situation in Lotus Pier had been so wrong, and so painful, that all Lan WangJi could think about was punishing the whip wielder...but Madam Yu was the wife of a Sect Leader...so how would they go about this?

He walked to the stump where he had hidden his letter to Suibian and was relieved that it was no longer there, before continuing on towards his brother's office. He had no time to be wondering what Suibian's answer would be, because more drama awaited.

There was shouting coming from inside, and Lan WangJi hastened towards the door upon recognising the voice.

It was Jiang Cheng, the heir of Lotus Pier.

Another, calmer, softer voice was hushing the first one, and Lan WangJi guessed it would be Wei Wuxian’s sister.

Good, because he certainly had questions for both of them.

He knocked on the door and waited for his brother's voice before entering, and then going to sit right next to him after bowing.

If he neglected to bow at the other two, that was his business, but they were already thinking about something else to notice.

"So, I ask you again, as the Sect heir, did you really have no idea what your head disciple was going through?" XiChen reminded himself that he had to be impartial, but the disbelief leaked into his tone.

"We knew he was being punished..." Jiang Cheng shouted back defensively.

"But we did not know the severity of it." Jiang YanLi finished, looking stricken. "But now that you have told us, we will make sure our brother is safe. This will not be happening again." She promised.

Lan WangJi could not prevent the scowl from gracing his face.

Jiang Cheng flinched, keeping his head down, ashamed.

"I must ask you, how do you expect us to willingly send him back to Lotus Pier? When you cannot guarantee his safety?" XiChen was stern.

"We will make a complaint to our parents." Jiang YanLi replied, seriously.

Lan WangJi snorted.

XiChen threw him a disappointed look, but at this point, Lan WangJi did not care. But he remained silent.

"You have to understand, we didn't know...how bad it was." Jiang Cheng said.

"Whenever we asked him, A-Xian always, always said he was fine...and there was never any indication that what he claimed wasn't true. I cannot believe that my mother is the one who did this." Jiang YanLi wiped her eyes.

"Unless there's someone else carrying an electrical whip." Lan WangJi said under his breath.

"I mean, I know it's her...I just can't believe it." Jiang YanLi said, defensively. "When it's your own parents...."

"The thing is, he was always getting punished. And it wasn't his fault most of the time. He even took the blame for others, he decided long ago that it was his duty as Head Disciple to protect those under his supervision...if they made a mistake, he took the blame." Jiang Cheng admitted.

Lan WangJi clenched his jaw, determined that he would not speak out. By doing so, would undermine his brother's authority, but he was feeling beyond angry now.

These siblings even if they could be called that, were happily minding their own business and ignoring the abuse that was going on right under their noses.

He threw an irritated look towards his brother, and found it mirrored there, on his face. That gave him some solace...but it wasn't enough.

"I do not wish to interfere in another Sect's disciplinary measures...to do so would be to cross boundaries that are better left intact...however," XiChen sat up straighter. "I cannot allow this to go unreported. Nor can I allow Wei WuXian to leave Cloud Recesses. This matter shall go before our Elders and then we shall decide on his future."

Jiang Cheng looked angrily up then.

"So my brother gets no say in the matter?"

"At the moment, no. And neither will you or anyone from Lotus Pier." XiChen replied, firmly.

"You can't stop him if he wishes to return!" Jiang Cheng stood up so fast, his chair crashed to the floor.

Bichen was at his throat faster than he was able to look up.

Jiang Cheng scowled at Lan WangJi.

"WangJi...violence won't solve anything. Jiang WanYin is merely expressing himself." XiChen told his brother confidently. To Jiang Cheng, he said, "Watch me."

Jiang YanLi stopped her brother from drawing his sword, dousing the purple fire in his eyes with a softer, soothing tone.

"A-Cheng...let's stop this. A-Xian is in the infirmary right now...as Zewu-Jun explained. Let him heal first, before we do anything else. We would have stayed here for the remainder of the year anyway...and what our parents do not know about yet, may work to A-Xian's advantage." She waited for him to process what she was saying.

It was a full minute before the rage dissipated on his face.

"WangJi." That's all XiChen had to say, for him to retract Bichen.

"Can we go and visit our brother?" Jiang YanLi asked.

"After lectures are over for today." XiChen told them smoothly.

Outside the bell rang for classes to begin.

XiChen looked pointedly at the door, and waited for them to bow and then leave.

They heard the Jiang heir complaining loudly as they left.

Lan WangJi glared at the door.

XiChen laughed softly.

"Mn?"

"He's not all bad, Didi..."

Lan WangJi only raised a disbelieving brow.

"I mean it. He's kind of...cute. Especially when he gets riled up." XiChen stood up.

Lan WangJi wanted to gag at the look in his brother's eyes. There was no accounting for taste, it seemed...

But there was something else on his mind.

"Will Xiongzhang really stop Wei Ying from leaving?" Lan WangJi asked. He was both hopeful and wary of this.

Hopeful that it meant Wei Ying was going to stay indefinitely, but wary because he did not know how Wei Ying would react when he was told.

"Don't worry, Didi. We can talk to Young Master Wei now and explain to him our way, first. Then, when the Jiangs talk to him, it won't be such a surprise."

"Shock." Lan WangJi corrected.

"Yes...that." XiChen was feeling positively sunny now. "Let's go and talk to him, then."

***********

Wei Ying was sleeping when they came into his room in the infirmary.

XiChen watched his brother, who once they had entered, refused to look anywhere else, not even at the elderly healer who threw disapproving looks their way before he left.

Whether his baby brother knew it or not, he cared very much for this other young man...and because XiChen knew who he was already, having gotten used to the shock, he was finding the whole situation quite amusing.

Diplomacy was all about saying the right thing at the right time, to say words which were planned and proven to help...but Lan WangJi was not ready to hear anything XiChen would say about his pen pal...at least not yet. So XiChen had remained wisely silent until now, just to see how things would play out.

Wei Ying stirred awake then, and XiChen bit his lip to not smile when he saw Lan WangJi immediately take his hand.

That too, was a telltale sign.

WangJi did not like touching others. Even contact with him, his blood brother, and their Uncle...was kept to a bare minimum.

So to see him willingly take someone's hand with no outside prompting, by himself...it was almost a miracle. XiChen found himself blinking back tears instead.

"Wei Ying? You are still in the infirmary." Lan WangJi informed him.

He was rewarded with a breathtaking smile, soft and sweet...and XiChen wanted to sigh with happiness...because WangJi's feelings were returned. Wei WuXian felt the same way about him too, and it was all over his face.

In the way that his silver eyes filled with unmistakable affection, crinkling at the edges, a rosy glow blooming upon golden cheeks, one that seemed to be more than the flushed state of sleeping.

XiChen saw the same positive energy in his brother's face too, the faintest upturning of his lips usually so straight and unbending. There was a light in those golden eyes that hadn't been there before.

Wei Ying was struggling to rise, his body stiff from laying prone all this time, and Lan WangJi effortlessly helped him sit up, by placing his large hands splayed across Wei Ying's ribs.

The healer, seizing his chance, brought over a tray of rice and steamed vegetables. He pushed the chopsticks into Wei Ying's hands. And glared at him.

Wei Ying reluctantly took a bite of rice. His chopsticks played with the vegetables in a worrying manner.

"Wei Ying is not hungry?" Lan WangJi asked, watching him like a hawk.

"No...I...er-" his stomach growled. Wei Ying laughed awkwardly.

"Is there something wrong with the food, Young Master Wei?" XiChen asked, suddenly.

"Um..." Wei Ying was not at all comfortable with being put on the spot like this. He was all too aware of being grateful for the actual food, but....the taste! And he didn't want to offend anyone.

"Wei Ying should be honest." Lan WangJi told him, frowning. "Xiongzhang can help." He insisted.

"Well...it's just that it's so bland...that's all." Wei Ying replied, still in a small voice.

XiChen understood immediately.

"Perhaps...should we send for chilli oil?" He asked. "People of Yunmeng prefer a stronger taste, after all. I suspect Young Master Wei is simply not used to our simple fare."

Wei Ying's face brightened so much at that, Lan WangJi wasn't sure if there was another sun in the sky. But then, it dimmed.

"I don't want to put you out." He said, quietly.

"Nonsense!" XiChen told him, enthusiastically. "At the moment, all that matters is your speedy recovery. I will go and arrange it now...once I come back and Young Master Wei has eaten, then we can discuss everything else." XiChen nodded at their bows and left.

"Why did Wei Ying not say anything?" Lan WangJi demanded.

"I....Well, I was getting into trouble on the daily..." Wei Ying tried to explain.

"That's no excuse. Guests must feel at home." Lan WangJi sat down on the chair. He reached again for Wei Ying's hand.

Wei Ying watched him from under his eyelashes, wondering how to phrase his next question. Ever since he had woken up before and now, there was one thing, and one thing only on his mind right now. So he thought for a while, hoping for inspiration before Lan XiChen returned, because it should definitely be a private conversation.

"Lan Zhan...?"

"Mn?"

"Are we...not going to talk about what...happened? Before?" Wei Ying could feel his face getting incredibly hot...in fact, as hot as those red ears looked about now. "You kissed me."

"Wei Ying was kissing back!" Lan WangJi replied, his golden eyes intense all of a sudden, fixed upon silver ones staring back at him.

"I did...I think I should tell you something...." He started to say.

"Here you go!" XiChen entered the room, completely oblivious to the previous discussion.

Lan WangJi wasn't sure if he was relieved or annoyed at the intrusion, but he took the bottle of chilli oil from his brother and opened it for Wei Ying.

Wei Ying slathered it all over his rice and the steamed vegetables, digging in enthusiastically, having emptied the bottle already.

Lan WangJi was filled with curiosity and alarm in equal measure; he was sort of certain that his simple palette would not survive that much chilli and he kind of wanted to try it, because Wei Ying looked so thrilled about it in the first place.

They waited until he was done before XiChen spoke. Wei Ying all but licked the plate clean, earning a bright smile from the healer who came to take away his dirty dishes.

There was a knock on the door and Uncle Qiren entered.

Lan WangJi immediately noticed the tension in Wei Ying's shoulders and he froze, not sure why the Elder was there.

Wei Ying wasn't moving either, eyeing the elder warily.

Uncle Qiren nodded to XiChen.

"Young Master Wei...as you know, anyone visiting the infirmary in need of severe treatment...Well, it must be reported to our Elders. We are concerned about your safety." He began, moving closer to Wei Ying's side.

Wei Ying was already shaking his head vehemently.

"No...it's okay...this isn't something serious. Lan Zhan?" Wei Ying tugged on their joined hands, trying to get his own one back. "Please...tell them..."

"Wei Ying..."

Just his deep voice saying his name...it caught Wei Ying's attention immediately. He looked up into golden eyes, concentrating on only him.

Lan WangJi covered their joined hands with his other free one, reinforcing their unity.

"Wei Ying is safe. Wei Ying will do what is right."

Wei Ying found himself nodding slowly.

"But what if doing the right thing means not making a big deal out of it?" Wei Ying asked, fearfully. In his head, all he could see was an angry...no, angrier Madam Yu blaming him for making her look bad...

And if he wasn't there to take the punishment...what if she decided to punish someone else?

Wei Ying wasn't sure what he was going to do, but he knew he couldn't do it from the infirmary. He winced as he tried to stand up, throwing the covers out of the way.

But Lan WangJi wasn't going to let him do anything.

With a single finger, he pushed down on Wei Ying's shoulder, only applying enough pressure that Wei Ying succumbed to his intentions.

"But Lan Zhan...you guys don't understand..." Pure frustration made tears leak from his eyes. "If you make this into something big...she'll never forget it. And...a-nd if I'm n-not there...she'll punishment someone else."

XiChen hadn't thought of that. His eyes widened at the realisation of that possibility.

"Wait...Young Master Wei, please don't panic!" He said quickly, even though he was a few seconds away from doing the very same thing. "Let's find a solution that works for everyone...okay?"

Wei Ying nodded, but it was clear on his face that he didn't believe it was possible.

"Just hear me out first, alright, Young Master Wei?" XiChen waited for him to really listen.

Lan WangJi was already dabbing at Wei Ying's eyes with his white handkerchief, watching as Wei Ying took a few deep breaths.

"To be absolutely truthful with you, your injuries...that kind of punishment is not merely punishment...it is abuse. Moreover, it was discovered here, in Cloud Recesses. How do you think it would look if this matter was discovered at a later time? How do you think it would reflect on the Lan Clan? On our esteemed Elders? Do you think this matter can be swept under the rug and forgotten about? If you do, then I urge you to grow up. That kind of naivety has no place here." XiChen looked apologetic.

Lan WangJi was already glaring at him.

"Look...I just want her to stop hurting people." Wei Ying replied, feeling exhausted.

"So...someone has to speak up. And right now it's looking like it's you. You have to look at this realistically. If you go back, she will continue to abuse you. And she knows you care about the other disciples...therefore that's the currency she will deal in. Control above everything else is what leads to power. So as you said, if you don't go back, she will start abusing others...it's a vicious cycle. Someone has to got to break it in the chain of command, that is the only way. She must be held accountable  and she must be punished, and at the same time, anyone that is vulnerable, must be removed from her clutches. If we are able to ensure everyone's safety...would you be willing to testify against her?" XiChen laid it out as clearly as he could.

"Yes." His voice cracked at first, but after he cleared his throat a few times, it came out stronger. "If everyone can be safe, and if no one gets hurt like that in the future, then yes...of course I'll testify. But..." there were so many thoughts going on inside his head, that Wei Ying didn't know quite where to begin.

"But?"

"Where do we even begin? It seems like an impossible task..."

"Young Master Wei, here, the irony is that their Jiang family motto is our friend...attempt the impossible...it is the truth."

"The first step, is to inform the elders. They must know what is going on. Then we can decide what must be done, and in what capacity. Perhaps even involve the other clans?" Uncle Qiren stroked his beard.

"But the longer it takes, the more chances there are of her finding out what you're planning. The more people know about it...that too could be a security issue."Wei Ying spoke up. He didn't dare look at Uncle Qiren, just concentrated on looking at XiChen.

"If a single clan takes action against another, there's a serious possibility of war breaking out amongst the clans...however, if a ruling committee is formed and made up out of all the clans, this will not be such a surprise. At least in the beginning, if we do not make it clear what is being investigated." Uncle Qiren suggested.

"That's a good idea." XiChen approved. "It makes sense. And what if we don't tell all of the elders? Keep it secret, what we are doing, and only tell a few trusted souls. We can take a team of cultivators to..." He thought quickly, "the Unclean Realm and gather support. Nie MingJue will be ready to help, and we can take some members from there too. Next would be the Jins." XiChen tried not to show his distaste.

Uncle Qiren frowned.

"I too, would think twice about involving them, Uncle. But they are wealthy and influential, and in between the Jins and the Wens, I think they are the lesser evil. Three Sects against one should be enough, no? We can go straight from LanLing to Yunmeng from there." XiChen smiled, aware that the calm look on his face was all about reassuring those around him and not at all an indication of how he felt inside.

But if this was the way to keep everyone happy, then he was willing to do it for his brother.

Uncle Qiren nodded, proud of his nephew for coming up with a plan in just minutes.

There was a commotion at the door as young cultivators were brought in and the noise made both seniors leave to investigate.

Lan WangJi was more concerned about the too silent young man, still blinking back tears. Now that he was quiet, Lan WangJi came to the immediate realisation that he did not like it.

He missed the incessant chatter...the verbal outpouring of all Wei Ying's thoughts. Like a painter pouring out his colours on his pallette, ready to paint, Wei Ying's words painted the direction of his thoughts and ultimately, the conclusion was the final picture, when he understood something from within. Here, the process was just as important as the final piece, to create the whole.

"Mn?" He prompted, wanting to hear him speak. So...that was something new...

"Worried." Wei Ying admitted. "Terrified, actually..."

Lan WangJi wrapped another blanket around Wei Ying’s bare torso, covering his arms and his shoulders, before sitting next to him and bringing him into his arms. His right hand began stroking Wei Ying's thick, long hair in an effort to calm him down. But this action...it served to soothe both of them now.

Lan WangJi was learning that giving care was just as important as receiving it, and in this process, was healing parts of himself as well. Apart from his bunnies, he'd never had reason to give, mostly because he wasn't close enough to anyone else, and his Xiongzhang had always given, not being needed to receive the care.

So Lan WangJi had an unreserved amount of caring inside him, that he was just discovering right now.

"Why terrified? Xiongzhang will look after Wei Ying. And there is something else." Too late, Lan WangJi remembered what they had told Jiang WanYin; that Wei Ying was basically not allowed to leave Cloud Recesses...yet.

Such a small word, and so important. It opened up all sorts of possibilities, like a foot in the door of 'NO'. 'Yet' meant change, it was flexible, and Wei Ying needed to hear that, and from him, not from his brother. Jiang WanYin was likely not to give the full account...at least, Lan WangJi didn't trust him to.

After all, their following actions and Wei Ying's condition was showing his mother in a negative light...of course he wasn't going to be on their side.

"What 'something else'?" Wei Ying leaned back to look into golden eyes filled with only concern.

"First Wei Ying. Why terrified?" Lan WangJi repeated, feeling his stubborn side coming out.

Wei Ying had to be pushed into saying what was in his mind. That much was clear.

Wei Ying cuddled closer again, missing this contact. Lan Zhan was being so nice to him...and he wasn't going to say no. Strong arms came around him then, and he shivered, remembering what he had confided to Bichen, his other friend. The wanting to be held down...

"Mn?"

Wei Ying dragged his thoughts away from the deep hole of wanting something not exactly available and brought it back to the problem nagging at his brain. Avoidance wasn't going to work this time.

"I'm scared...not for myself...I mean, I trust your brother. He's a really good leader, by the way."

"Then?"

Wei Ying tried to clarify his thoughts. Even to himself, they were a jumble of possibilities in a messy heap, all sorts of scenarios which could go wrong. So that's what he started with.

"I'm worried about everything that could go wrong, everything not within our control. I'm thinking, what if Madam Yu finds out? What will she do? That part's easy, we know what she'll do...it's how to prevent it. I'm pretty sure each Sect has spies...and-"

"Wait!" Lan WangJi commanded, stopping his spiralling thoughts.

This was the second time Lan WangJi had used that tone, and Wei Ying shivered in response. There was something so hot about the way he said that word...

And it had the desired effect: Wei Ying was fully concentrating upon him only, no other thoughts existed in this second. Golden eyes stared back, full of determination.

"Things not within our control...is the very definition of why we should not worry about them. They are possibilities, and we are aware of them: that is enough." Lan WangJi told him firmly. "In order to heal fully, one must release all types of stress. When the body is relaxed, only then healing can happen fully."

It made sense to him. And as if by magic, all the tension bled out from his body, and Wei Ying let himself relax.

Lan WangJi began humming softly, feeling the change. His hand was continuing to massage Wei Ying's head and back through the blanket, and he knew exactly when Wei Ying fell asleep. He continued to hold him though, feeling a calmness wash over himself too.

It was a nice feeling ... caring for someone else.

**********

A while later, there was a soft knock upon the door.

Lan WangJi turned to see his brother enter.

XiChen smiled at the scene before him, Lan WangJi was holding Wei Ying's hand under the blanket, watching him sleep. This side to his baby brother...it was lovely to witness.

"Mn?"

"We've had an incident. About thirty juniors inadvertently walked into a tear gas talisman, as part of a training exercise. The infirmary needs all their beds..."

"Wei Ying still needs treatment." Lan WangJi replied, brow furrowing. "Healers said next three days, constant."

"And I believe you have been helping, right, Didi?" XiChen prodded, a plan forming in his mind.

What if he pushed these two misguided souls together? Would they realise who they each were? He knew his brother had been in correspondence with a mysterious pen pal for the best part of a year...and after realising it was none other than the person Lan WangJi seemed to like...this was a really good idea...

"Mn?"

"So why don't you help the healers by taking Young Master Wei to the Jingshi? You can look after him there, and by doing that, you'll be freeing up the healers and the bed. In fact, it's rather urgent...like, now...?" XiChen was beaming openly.

Lan WangJi didn't notice, all his attention now upon the sleeping man.

"Mn. Good idea." Lan WangJi thought that way if Wei Ying was in the Jingshi, he could keep an eye on him.

Wei Ying's injuries were healing nicely and just a few more days of constant care would end his suffering, hopefully.

"Great! Then I'll get the healers to pack some oils for you. You can collect today's treatment on your way out, and come back daily for as long as he needs it." XiChen left.

Lan WangJi immediately picked up the sleeping man and followed.

**********

Wei Ying woke up to the soft sounds of musical notes playing on a guqin. He let the notes wash over him gently, healing his mind and cleansing it of all worries.

So much care and affection lay behind the subtleties of the notes, the nuances behind the melody that floated around him. He felt as if he was floating in a bubble of comfort, a feeling that it was okay for him to just lie there and enjoy what his ears were gifting him.

Each note spoke to his heart, easing away his pain and uncertainty to leave him...happy.

That's what this feeling was...happiness.

It was astounding how this felt like such a novelty, something new, something so very rarely experienced and here in this quiet place, it was being offered in abundance.

He closed his eyes and let sleep come, the most natural of all healing.

**********

Wei Ying was woken by shouting.

This...such a contrast to before, jolted him out of the cocoon of warmth and comfort he had been resting in, and he sat up immediately.

Where was he? This wasn't the infirmary...

Wei Ying looked around, and saw a simple room decorated in pale colours, the drapes in soft creams and ivories, offset with the palest of blues, like the icy skies of winter, crisp and clean. There was a mahogany table upon which a guqin lay, covered in a soft plain muslin cloth, also white.

There was a vase filled with blue gentian flowers standing next to an incense burner, the soft scent of sandalwood floating around the room and still offering him comfort...despite the noise getting louder outside.

Wei Ying threw back the covers and stood up, to find his robe folded on the table beside the bed, and he flushed, a little embarrassed that whomever had carried him here had probably seen his body...and he had an idea of who it might be...

But the shouting was definitely a distraction, and Wei Ying had already recognised that familiar voice...so he put both his robes and boots on, and went to the door, just as the noise suddenly cut off.

The immediate silence was more disturbing and Wei Ying quickly opened the door to find a tension filled silence, a stand-off between Lan WangJi who was looking smugly satisfied, and an irate tomato coloured Jiang Cheng.

"What's going on?" He said, clearing his throat after not speaking for so long.

Lan WangJi frowned at the glaring brother.

There was much to be annoyed about, not least the fact that this loud donkey had woken Wei Ying with his braying, and Lan WangJi regretted not using the silencing spell earlier, but he had mistakenly assumed that he could talk to the Jiang heir.

Unfortunately, that was not the case.

"You may wait here." Lan WangJi thought he was being more gracious than Jiang WanYin deserved, as he pushed Wei Ying back inside his home and closed his door in the scarlet loudmouth's face.

This peacefulness was a gift, and he enjoyed it fully now, wondering why he felt so happy to see Wei Ying inside this space, that was fully his.

"Before Wei Ying speaks with his brother, there is much to tell you." Lan WangJi picked him up and put Wei Ying on his bed, feeling even happier.

Wei Ying belonged here...that was this feeling.

He felt even better at being able to define it.

"Okay..." Wei Ying said, watching him.

"Does Wei Ying trust me?" Lan WangJi asked.

"Yes," Wei Ying replied immediately. Then realised how true it was, the depths of which had no limits.

Lan WangJi smiled.

Wei Ying gasped.

Lan WangJi was beautiful anyway...but like this...he was incredibly gorgeous.

Stunning...

Like polished Jade.

Wei Ying forced himself to sit quietly, sitting on his hands so he wouldn't launch himself into Lan WangJi's arms.

"Good. Then please listen. It's important." He added, when it looked like Wei Ying was distracted by...something.

"Alright, I'm listening." Wei Ying made himself concentrate.

"In order to prevent anything happening to Wei Ying...Xiongzhang implied that Wei Ying was unable to leave Cloud Recesses and Jiang WanYin did not like it. The truth is, Wei Ying is requested to stay, at least until Madam Yu is brought to justice. But your brother doesn't have to know that." Lan WangJi tried to stop his lip from curling at the imposition at his doorstep.

"So...I'm free to go?" Were the first words out of his mouth. What a difference that single word made...

Lan WangJi wasn't prepared for the lance of fierce pain that shot through his heart at hearing them. He didn't trust himself to speak, so he inclined his head slightly.

"But Wei Ying still has three days of treatment to complete." He insisted. "After that..." He couldn't bring himself to say anything more.

His heart was already breaking.

Wei Ying was nodding.

"I know why you guys told him that. It's alright, Lan Zhan. I understand."

He waited for Lan WangJi to go on...but he simply looked back, pain lurking in the depths of his golden eyes.

Wei Ying put his hand on Lan WangJi's arm.

"Lan Zhan...? What's wrong?" He whispered.

"I do not like the thought of Wei Ying going." Lan WangJi admitted.

Wei Ying smiled at him, the simplicity of Lan WangJi's words affecting him deeply.

No one had said that to him before...and certainly not with that much meaning.

Lan WangJi chose his words carefully; it was apparent in his use of his vocabulary, in picking which words he was going to use, the efficency and value of using the minimum requirement of getting his meaning across.

So when he said he didn't like the thought of Wei Ying's leaving, it meant he hated it...

"Then I shall stay here as long as you want me to stay here." He promised sincerely.

Lan WangJi positively beamed back at him, so sudden was the change that Wei Ying was not prepared.

And so he let himself do what he had wanted to from the beginning, he threw himself into those strong arms, which caught him immediately.

They both sighed, feeling as if they had both finally come home.

They stayed like that, until the banging resumed on the door.

Lan WangJi reluctantly let go him, and Wei Ying had to smile at the look of utter annoyance on his face, as he rose from the bed.

Wei Ying stood up with him, and again, let his instincts take over. He reached out and entwined their fingers together, smiling when Lan WangJi turned back to him in surprise...and pleasure.

Silently, because words were not needed, they walked to the door and he opened it.

Jiang WanYin was about to start shouting again, when the sudden opening of the barrier preventing him from seeing his brother was removed. He was so surprised, he forgot what he was about to say.

"I shall return soon." Lan WangJi told Wei Ying, more to warn Jiang WanYin than anything else.

"Alright." Wei Ying smiled shyly now...there was something so domestic about this...and it made him feel giddy with happiness.

He gave Lan WangJi a small wave watching him go, while Jiang Cheng went green, wanting to vomit into the nearest bushes.

He ended up giving Wei WuXian a small shove, gentler than normal, reminding himself of the injuries his brother had suffered at the hands of his own mother.

"Shijie?" Wei Ying asked, closing the door of the Jingshi behind him and walking forward.

It didn't feel right to have Jiang Cheng come inside there...and there was nothing wrong with the bench outside, under the magnolia tree. He motioned towards it, and went to sit down there.

The soft and sweet fragrance wafted down from the pink blooms, settling his mind, and Wei Ying realised that slowly, in the months that he had now spent at Cloud Recesses, somehow the place had permeated its peacefulness within his very pores.

He had never felt so relaxed before...

Jiang Cheng sat down heavily next to him.

"Shijie is coming. She's bringing something for you."

They sat in silence then, so many words waiting to be spoken. But it was as if neither wanted to begin.

For Jiang Cheng, it was changing everything between them. By speaking about what had happened to Wei WuXian...by talking about it, it made it true.

It meant he was admitting to his own guilt at not investigating it properly...and really, he didn't want anything to come between them, this easy camaraderie he shared with this most fun person. Wei WuXian never failed to make him feel better, especially after scenes, mostly horrible ones involving his parents...and now the tables were turned. Now, when faced with this responsibility, something he had no choice but to do, he realised how hard it was.

It was going to change their entire dynamic, and Jiang Cheng wasn't at all sure if he was ready for that...

Wei Ying already knew this, and for his part, he felt the same. But his empathetic nature meant that he did not want his younger brother to suffer either, and that was stilling his lips from admitting how much he had suffered at the hands of Jiang Cheng's mother.

"I'm alright, you know..." Wei Ying said...softly, at last.

Jiang Cheng turned to face him. The embers of a purple fire were sparking in his eyes.

"I had to have Sect Leader Zewu-Jun tell me what was wrong with you...what my mother had done to you." Jiang Cheng could feel his eyes getting hotter. "How do you think I felt? That basically a stranger had to tell me what was wrong in my house? Do you have any idea?" His voice was low, and bitter.

Wei Ying knew...that was the tragedy in all this...

And what could he say?

There was nothing else except the truth.

"If I told you...what could you have done about it?" He replied gently. His words were not said to cause pain...it was only the truth...but it hurt nonetheless.

They both knew that Madam Yu did not listen to anyone.

And they both knew that Wei Ying would have done his utmost to not let anyone know what was going on.

"But that's not the point...I would have wanted to know the truth." Jiang Cheng said, slowly.

"Would you have? And what would that have achieved?"

What would it have achieved...back then? Even as recently as them arriving in Cloud Recesses, Wei WuXian had been given one last "reminder" to behave himself. The fact remained, while others were at her mercy, just one look from Madam Yu and Wei Ying would go walking to the training grounds, and sit inside the discipline hut, waiting for her to come there.

Sometimes when she was livid, her arrival was prompt...but she took a special kind of pleasure in making him wait for something that was sure to be painful.

On the days when Jiang Cheng did particularly badly in his training, Wei WuXian got it worse, so in effect, whether he doctored his own results or not, really didn't matter in the end.

At the end of the day...all that mattered was how Jiang Cheng fared.

So that being the only binding thread tying them together with regard to the punishment factor, by Wei Ying telling Jiang Cheng anything, anything at all, would only fuel more self hatred, more guilt, and more blame for something he could not control. In that respect, Jiang Cheng was just as much a victim to Madam Yu's discipline as Wei WuXian was, despite the lax results.

And all the while, as she flayed his back with her fury filled strikes, her mouth worked overtime, with terrible words that flowed like a poisonous river. Her intent to cause much pain was apparent with every vowel, every consonant she spewed, telling Wei WuXian again and again, that he ought to be grateful, that he owed the Jiang Clan his life, and he would be dead if Jiang Fengmian had not brought him back to Lotus Pier.

But one day...Wei WuXian had thought to himself: when is this debt going to be over? Surely it was done by now?

And just like that, his mind began to disassociate with what she was telling him. He no longer heard her barbed comments, or reacted to her incendiary speeches, and she knew something was different.

Her strikes became many, fiercer and filled with spiritual energy, but still, Wei WuXian endured. He thought of his little shidis and the cute little Shimeis, and knew he would not change anything, not if it meant he could save them from her wrath.

"I don't think you know what family means." Jiang Cheng was still bitterly saying.

Wei Ying wanted to laugh out loud.

"And...you're going to teach me?" He shook his head sadly. "Look, can't we drop it? Do we have to talk about it? As far as I'm concerned, it's water under the bridge. It has flowed away, no longer relevant. You don't have to let it affect us."

"Is there still an us? Zewu-Jun has stated that you aren't allowed out of Cloud Recesses. Not until we can guarantee your safety." Jiang Cheng bent and twisted some grass out of the ground, needing something to occupy his hands.

Wei Ying wasn't sure how much he should say now. After all, when push came to shove, the Purple Spider was still his mother. And Jiang Cheng's loyalty would still be at his mother's feet...not with his injured brother. No matter how much he would say otherwise while he was within sight of Wei WuXian...and Wei WuXian knew this.

Perhaps it would be better to remain quiet about this, lest something slipped out unconsciously.

He didn't want to give anything away about Zewu-Jun's plans, just in case Jiang Cheng warned his mother and compromised their countermeasures.

And now Wei Wuxian understood why Lan WangJi had thought to tell him that this wasn't the case, that Wei Ying wasn't trapped in Cloud Recesses,  that he wasn't being kept here afainst his will. He was free to go...as much as Lan Zhan hated saying it.

Jiang Cheng was still an heir, and as such, was still thinking about keeping Wei WuXian as an asset. Wei Ying found it hard to believe that it was out love and care...it couldn't be if he was ready to turn a blind eye to the deeds of his mother.

And what if...what if Wei Ying was actually thinking about the opposite to that? What if Wei Ying was already wondering what it would be like to not return to Lotus Pier?

What would happen if he didn't?

Certainly, the beatings would stop. That was number one on his agenda.

Then, if he wasn't there to act as the bar for all of Jiang Cheng's achievements, something to surpass, maybe Jiang Cheng's cultivation would naturally improve, and that was something Wei Ying would always support. Jiang Cheng needed confidence, needed the push to be better than he was without the crutch named Wei WuXian.

The only issue would be, if Jiang Cheng blamed him for not wanting to return. The talk about being his right-hand man was something that had continually grated on Wei Ying's nerves...because why? Why should he have to be that? Why did he have to be what they decided?

Why couldn't he just have a small plot of land to grow potatoes, maybe keep a few chickens, a couple of rabbits, and if it was big enough, a few goats. Perhaps a donkey to help carry the fruits of his labours to and from the market. It sounded like a good life to him.

What if he left the Cultivation world behind? Could he walk away from it?

His parents had become rogue cultivators.

And until now, Wei WuXian had never thought about the circumstances surrounding their departure...again, he'd had no reason to.

Why had they left?

If it was such a great thing to be? To be attached to a leading Sect?

"Why have you got that stupid smile on your face?" Jiang Cheng scowled at him. "And here, I got this for you." He thrust a white envelope into Wei Ying's hands.

"I was thinking about my parents." Wei WuXian told him honestly, but he blushed as he saw the letter and knew who it was from.

Jiang Cheng sobered immediately, out of respect for those that had passed away.

"What about them?" He asked, out of politeness.

"I just...miss them." Wei Ying replied. It was partially the truth, right? But with the envelope in his hands, another burning question was on his mind. "Where did you get this?" He hoped Jiang Cheng would not say where Wei Ying was thinking...

"That tree stump. I saw you go there...once. I thought you might want whatever was in there..." Jiang Cheng looked embarrassed.

Wei Ying wondered how he would now have to tell Bichen that their drop-off point was compromised. Maybe they could find a new place...

Plus he would have to get creative about writing and sending his replies...especially if he was stuck here with Lan WangJi keeping an eye on him.

They were silent for a while.

"Are you going to come back to the guest dormitories?" Jiang Cheng asked.

"Wei Ying has unfinished treatment." Lan WangJi was back suddenly, and he answered for Wei Ying.

He had gone to drop off another letter, but as there had not been an answer waiting for him, he was slightly worried.

His correspondence with Suibian had been regular until now. Sometimes there was more than one letter, usually two or three, and even a time when he had gotten five in one day. Now that there was nothing...it was so odd.

The only thing that made it better was the fact that his letter was no longer there. That meant Suibian had gotten his letter...but maybe he hadn't had time to write his own one?

Perhaps, as Suibian had mentioned before, he simply was busy with his punishment of copying out rules and then studying for the coming exams...maybe there hadn't been enough time.

Lan WangJi decided it would be better to give him the benefit of the doubt and to simply wait. After all, Suibian had also expressed how important their friendship was to him...so maybe this was nothing to worry about.

Jiang Cheng stood up immediately.

"As long as you're okay..." He said to Wei WuXian and walked past a glowering Lan WangJi. "I'll see you later, maybe tomorrow." He stomped off.

Wei Ying had eyes only for Lan WangJi, who came and stood by him, as if uncertain if Wei Ying wanted him there. So Wei Ying patted the empty space right next to him, and Lan WangJi smiled, settling elegantly next to him.

Wei Ying held out his hand with his palm up, not daring to breathe because in the past, and for so long, Lan Zhan had rejected his metaphorical extending of the hand for friendship...and so now...he was doubting himself.

Especially when Lan Zhan stared at it first before placing his hand on Wei Ying's palm, letting out the build up of air in his lungs too. This simple contact was suddenly so important to both of them that Wei Ying was smiling so broadly, relieved that Lan WangJi had accepted it now.

For Lan WangJi, he was torn.

Suibian or Wei Ying?

That had been the reason for his hesitation, and even now, after just returning from delivering another letter to his friend...what was he doing holding hands with another man?

He did not let himself think about this now.

He knew that if he had rejected Wei Ying's offer to hold hands right now, it would have hurt him, and himself as a by product. He remembered that flash of pain in Wei Ying's eyes in the cold pond, when he had been less than friendly.

But after that kiss...

Could he deny what he was feeling? He had already asked Suibian to meet with him...would this be an easier question to answer after that?

Some things were so much better talking about in person...but he hoped he had been able to get his message across in his letter. Now his only fear was if Suibian rejected his proposal or refused to meet...and what if Lan WangJi had screwed everything up by suggesting it in the first place?

No...no...Suibian had expressed a positive vibe when Lan Zhan had mentioned it earlier. He had just said he was busy for now and could he wait...and then...Lan Zhan hadn't minded...but now, now he didn't want to wait.

Not when the palm resting in his was feeling so good...and their point of contact was making short sharp electrical tingles travel up his arm and right into his chest.

His heart felt five sizes too big to be beating in such a small space right now...and all he wanted to do was kiss this man...

Where had that thought cone from??

Wei Ying was leaning dangerously closer towards him, and Lan WangJi felt powerless to resist, loss in the swirling silver fire of brilliant irises reflecting the same want, the same need.

Their lips met in an invisible pull, both helpless to stop this connection. Before he knew what he was doing, Lan WangJi had taken his palms to rest at Wei Ying's sides and lifted him into his lap, their lips fused together. Soft and silky, as their lips kissed again and again, the jolt of fire burning through their veins as hot tongues caressed and danced together. This need...it was all-consuming, banishing every thought but one: more.

This felt so right, to have Wei Ying here, so close and yet, not close enough. Wei Ying wrapped his arms around Lan WangJi's neck, pressing himself so tightly against the hard muscles he could feel even through his robes, and smiling against persistent lips when he felt strong arms wrap around his torso.

Forgetting how to breathe and not caring to, not if it meant he would have to stop kissing this delicious man. Lan Zhan tasted incredible, a mix of sandalwood and spice, a little bit sweet but fierce too, and there was something dangerous lurking just under the surface of his calm demeanour.

That feeling, that Lan Zhan could lose control...it was what made Wei Ying want to pursue it, to figure out how he could make it happen.

This kiss went on and on, and when Wei Ying broke away finally, because of the tightness in his chest...he tucked his face into gap at Lan Zhan's neck, breathing in deeply the fragrance he had come to love.

But that single thought...

To love...?

Did he love Lan WangJi?

And then...what about Bichen?

The letter from him was burning a hole in his sleeve, and for the first time since Lan WangJi had come to sit next to him, Wei Ying felt conflicted.

What should he do?

"Lan Zhan...you know...I really like you." He began to say.

And then?

How to say, I really like you, to the point that I love you, but I might be in love with Bichen too, and now I don't know what to do any more? This seemed to be an impossible conundrum.

How to proceed?

"Mn. Like Wei Ying too."

Lan WangJi was thinking the same thoughts as Wei Ying was...in two minds because Wei Ying was right here...and Suibian was not.

He did not like this feeling, as if he was cheating on one by being with the other...it seemed dishonest to him...but then, Wei Ying needed him too.

And this was so nice...to be able to sit like this, in the warm evening sun, breathing the same air as the man he loved...

Lan WangJi tried not to scowl at his errant thoughts...his treacherous heart was hell bent on reminding him that he had other obligations. But he did lift Wei Ying off his lap, ignoring the whine of protest from the other.

"It is time for the oil therapy." Lan WangJi reminded him.

"Good evening A-Xian, good evening Second Master Lan." The cheerful voice belonged to Jiang YanLi, who was walking with a covered tray in her hands.

Wei Ying jumped up to greet her, taking the tray from her and putting it down on the bench before enveloping her in a deep hug.

She held him for a long time, murmuring words of comfort, and before Wei Ying knew it, he was crying in her arms.

Why was it, the idea of leaving Lotus Pier for good, when thought with Jiang Cheng in mind, didn't seem so awful...but this...leaving his Shijie behind...it was gut-wrenchingly painful.

She wiped away his tears finally, and then her own, smiling through the sadness on her face at him.

"A-Xian...my dear boy, don't you know, you should never cry before a meal? Now come and sit down here." She said softly.

Wei Ying looked towards the bench, expecting to see Lan Zhan still sitting there.

But it was empty.

When had he left?

The door to the Jingshi was open though, and in a way, it was welcoming him back...when he was ready.

His sister opened the cover of the tray and ladeled out some hot soup in a bowl, making sure to add more root pieces, which she knew was his favourite. She pushed the bowl into his hands, smiling as he swallowed the first spoonful.

The look on his face was priceless.

Pleasure mixed with hunger, and a bittersweet sadness.

Jiang YanLi watched him eat, making him have a second bowl too, until he clutched his belly, sighing in deep satisfaction.

Then she spoke, after packing everything away.

"A-Xian...don't feel bad...okay?"

Wei Ying couldn’t help it...his eyes filled with tears again.

He had a feeling that his sister knew. She knew that he was considering not going back...

His Shijie leaned forward, wiping away the tears that fell, spilling over onto his rosy cheeks. Then she kissed his forehead warmly.

"I don't think it will be good for you to go back..." She whispered, keeping her voice low so only the two of them could hear.

"How d-did...did you know? That I'm thinking about it?" He whispered back, now unable to look at her amethyst eyes, brimming with sympathy.

"It's all over your face, my sweet, sweet A-Xian..." She sighed and leaned back. "Out of the two of you, I could always tell what you were thinking. A-Cheng was harder because he tried to hide away his hurts...but I guess it was because you never did. You were born with a smiling face...and I wish...I wish..." She choked then, trying to get the words out.

Wei Ying knelt at her feet and put his head in her lap.

She stroked his hair as she tried to compose herself.

"I wish there was more for you to smile about...in Lotus Pier." She finally said.

Wei Ying sniffed.

"I knew you weren't coming back, because there's no need for you to suffer at the hands of its mistress any more...but I think...I think there may be many changes to come there...and soon." She carried on, enigmatically.

Wei Ying had always known his sister was smart...she may not have her golden core as strong as other cultivators, but in her head, she could run circles around some of the other Sect leaders.

"And...it looks like I won't be there for much longer either."

Wei Ying looked up then, searching her eyes for something other than the simple happiness radiating out of them now.

He relaxed and smiled back, when there was nothing else.

"Are you happy, Shijie?" Then he rephrased it. "Will you be?"

She nodded enthusiastically.

"Jin ZiXuan and I....we've been talking." She laughed at the expression on his face.

"A whole conversation?" He asked, quite seriously.

It was very clear that he thought the Peacock incapable of having one, unless it was one-sided.

"Stop that! He's very nice when you get to know him." She insisted.

Wei Ying snorted mischievously.

"And it seems," she nudged him gently, "someone else might be getting engaged too?"

Wei WuXian looked around, genuinely confused. "Who?"

Shijie waited for him to look at her.

"You, silly! Have you seen the way Second Master Lan looks at you?!" She beamed at him.

"Lan Z-Zhan?" Wei Ying faltered, looking towards the open door of the Jingshi, hoping their conversation would not be overheard.

"Yes! A-Xian...it is quite obvious that he cares about you." She insisted.

Wei Ying thought that too, and then they had already kissed twice...surely that meant something?

But then he thought about Bichen...he really liked Bichen too...

"But Shijie...how do you know?" Wei Ying rested his head on her knees once more.

"Know what?" She prompted.

"Um...what if I liked two people? How do I decide...how...which one should I pick?" He was so serious now, and he hoped she would not laugh at him.

But then, his Shijie had always been dependable, and she didn't let him down now.

"You have to let your heart decide." She told him honestly. "When the time comes, you'll know."

********

A/N

Wow weeeee!

This chapter is a whopping 11282 word count...I tried to publish earlier but the subject matter did not allow for it.

So what do you all think?

This one is dedicated to Kotori_arios for making a special day even more special.

Thank you everybody for being so patient with me, and hopefully there's only a couple more chapters left in this story.

Have a fabulous day and I hope you eat lots of chocolate!!