The sun was just waking up, yawning, stretching its arms of bright golden light all over the eastern world. Slowly, rays of sunshine crept into the hills of Gusu, climbing up one peak and sliding down another, crawling its way to a solitary house located away from the Cloud Recesses compound. The light swept over the lush green garden and pretty purple gentians, sweeping across the steps and verandah, creeping through the windows into a room. The warmth diffused along the wooden floor onto a bed and gently blanketed the two men asleep on it. Each held on to the other tightly. All the sun could do was turn the place golden. For the room that was dark and cold a day ago was now bright and warm — its own candle of life has returned.

Lan Wangji opened his eyes. Softy yawning, he lay on the bed, cradling his dearest in his arms, gentle yet firm; caressing yet clenching, as though he was holding on to a single fragile thread of life. He stayed there for some time, unwilling to get up, staring at the beauty in front of him. Long eyelashes, full eyelids, sharp nose, pink plump lips... Lan Zhan gulped, holding back the urge, afraid of waking the other up if he gave in to his desires. He satisfied himself by ever so softly stroking the long, dark, dishevelled hair.

Curiously enough, just like how Wei Wuxian improved Mo Xuanyu's body's cultivation to match his own, he had also somehow touched up on the sacrificer's physical self too. From his physique to his eyes, everything seemed to become more and more like his past self, more and more familiar to Lan Zhan — not to mention, more and more desirous!

His husband really was the greatest cultivator ever. Lan Zhan smiled at the sleeping beauty before his head fell back onto a corner of Wei Ying's pillow. The sleepless nights paid off as he let the scent of lotuses enwrap his lungs before drifting off to Dreamland again.

**********

It was close to eight in the morning.

"Just what is Wangji doing?" Xichen wondered aloud.

"He's never been this late, except back in his school days," Huaisang fanned himself, sniggering at the memory of Wei Ying getting the GusuLan Jade drunk.

"That was because of Wei Wuxian, remember?" Jiang Cheng laughed sourly at the memory. Unlike Huaisang, he didn't recall only the part where Lan Zhan and Wei Ying had been punished, but also how he himself was punished.

"Then it must be the same now!" Xichen laughed, understanding calmness descending on him. "It would make sense since the two badly need the time together. Guess we'll have to wait till didi wakes up, then!"

"But A-Xian won't wake up for another hour!" Jiang Cheng cried, horrified.

"Said who?"

In strode a tall man, dressed entirely in black robes, with a red ribbon joyfully flapping behind him. He had his hands crossed behind his back and was holding something. Nobody but Lan Zhan — entering behind him with pristine white robes and a smile — saw what it was.

"A-Cheng, have you touched up on the ring?"

"Wei Wuxian! It was a mistake!"

"You can hit me all you want, I don't mind, I'm used to Zidian since that day when Madam Yu hit me, you know. But not Lan Zhan. So practise it more. If it happens again!" Wei Wuxian broke off, glaring at his brother.

"Tch! A-Xian, I swear I won't TOUCH your husband hereafter. Happy?"

Wei Wuxian tossed his head back and laughed. "He wouldn't let you anyway! Right, A-Zhan?" He batted his lashes at his husband, earning himself a Stop-it-or-I'll-do-you-before-everyone glare. Quickly, Wei Ying turned to the others.

"Gege! Little Rulan! Nie-xiong!" He waved at each Sect Leader in the room, before sitting down on a mat beside little Rulan.

Carefully keeping whatever was in his hand on his lap, he took the teapot and poured out tea for everyone.

Xichen began the conversation. "Didi, is there anything specific that you feel we should ask those guards when interrogating them?"

"Wei Shishu, why don't you come with us?"

"Yes, Wei-xiong–"

"Look, you guys discuss whatever you wish, please don't involve me," he said as politely as he could, adding a smile at the end.

"Why not? You have a right anyway, since you uncovered the mystery!" Jiang Cheng exclaimed.

"Oh. But do I?" Wei Wuxian replied, his voice fading into a whisper. Everyone present heard it. And they also saw the tragic trademark smile that followed it.

The smile triggered Lan Zhan's mental note. "A-Ying, is there something wrong? You aren't being guilt-tripped, right?"

Wei Wuxian laughed nervously. "Me? No, I'm absolutely fine, A-Zhan!" Not one person present missed how Wei Ying was avoiding eye contact.

"A-Xian, what's wrong now?"

"Wei Shishu, what do you mean you don't have the right?"

The way Jin Ling asked it, and the way Lan Zhan looked at him, were things he couldn't tolerate, emotions he couldn't bear. 

"A-Ling, I don't have the right. You weren't there back then, but it's not like you don't know the things I did back then: the words I said, the chaos I caused, the people I killed. Who am I to ask another why they murder? Who am I to tell them, show them and punish them for simply being exactly what I was? No, A-Ling, I don't have the right."

Four noble sect leaders and a world-renown hero stared at Wei Wuxian in silence. They were all taken aback. Of course, they had known all along Wei Wuxian bore tons of guilt on his shoulders, but never had they imagined that the weight would produce a pressure so immense. What was he saying? Why couldn't he see he is forgiven? Why couldn't he just let go of his past?

But then again... Had he not murdered numbers of cultivators from god knows how many sects? Was it even possible for him to forget it all? Remove the stains on his core? Clean his bloodied blade? Wash away the blood on his hands? 

Yes, maybe Wei Wuxian did owe many lives, but at least he was forgiven. But why couldn't he see that? Was he deaf when Yanli spoke the other day? Blind to the caring his brothers in bond and soul were giving him every day? Clueless to the affection his sons gifted him every second? Insensitive to the boundless love his husband gave him forever?

Why was he like this? Was the one thought on every listener's mind.

"I don't have the right, but you do. I have nothing to request, gege, just see into it that the man in possession of the Seal is caught soonest. I will only take part in this when you need me to handle the Seal. Oh, and also if the man sends more corpses and whatnot, but not in anything else. I'll just be here, back where I belong. Gege, forgive me," he said, pouring out the tea into the last cup, his gege's.

Xichen grabbed the younger's hand. "Wuxian-di, I have forgiven you, long, long ago. Why don't you see it?"

Wei Wuxian slowly let his hand slide away, kept the teapot and quietly sipped his tea. All the while, he once again had that awful smile.

Huaisang understood his soul-brother well enough to help him out. "Er-Ge, exactly what's the plan now?"

Successfully distracted by Director Nie's slick change of topic, Xichen turned to the sect leaders and began to explain the plan. Lan Zhan and Wei Ying listened aside, while the four discussed.

Lan Zhan didn't watch them, he watched his soulmate's mood change from sorrowful guilt, to pride and affection for his little Rulan — who was deeply engaged in the Sect Leaders' conference, his skill, and the traits inherited from his father, shining. He watched as the younger's expression then changed to one of pure childish excitement, as though he was watching a street act at a Caiyi night market. The excitement kept building as he listened to Lan Xichen describing: interrogating the guards, sending scouts, checking the disciples' records at Koi Tower, getting rid of the still-Jin lackeys, and approaching the man with the Seal, Rusong's murderer. Throughout the exchange, an odd sound kept attacking their ears. 

By the time the conversation had ended, the sect leaders had had enough. They turned in the direction of the sound.

"A-Xian, just what is making that terrible noise?"

Rattle! Rattle! Bong! Bang!

Wei Wuxian grinned apologetically, lifting one hand in the air. In his grasp sat a rattle drum, old and faded, but not tattered: its surface, intact.

Xichen beamed at his brothers.

"Wei Shishu," Jin Ling scuttled towards him. "Where did you get this from?"

Wei Wuxian smiled; this time, truly smiled. He ruffled his nephew's hair and said, "Someone you know. He didn't give me just this, you know."

Jin Ling tilted his head. "Oh?"

"He gave me his heart. He gave me life."

A pair of ears crafted out of white jade turned strawberry-pink. Xichen was beaming from ear to ear now, while Huaisang hid his Cheshire Cat's grin behind his fan, afraid of tasting Bichen.

Jiang Cheng and Jin Ling stared for quite a while before lightning struck. Jiang Cheng smirked and looked away, rolling his eyes. The child, on the other hand, reddened with embarrassment before shuffling away from his too sentimental uncle again.

The morning passed with their tea and the day's classes. Wei Wuxian taught several classes until he felt tired. Then, he sauntered back to the Jingshi after lunch, had his afternoon nap in the verandah, went to feed the bunnies and chat with Xiangxiang, before Lan Zhan came to find him buried in a pile of bunnies, playing a song on Chenqing. An all-too-familiar melody echoed across the woods, defeating the singsong of the birds and the whistles of the wind, its harmonious sound flying up to the sky, reaching so high the Gods above listened to the song. Lan Zhan's heart skipped a beat hearing Wei Ying play this song. Their song.

Alas, A-Ying still doesn't know its name, Lan Zhan thought, smirking as he strolled over to have a bath with his husband in the waterfall.

**********

Some distance away in the Hanshi, Lan Xichen's home, two sect leaders sat at either side of a table, silent.

Lan Huan played a gentle melody on Liebing, watching gleefully as the occasional uncontrolled sparks from Zidian reduced to nothing. He stopped playing once the state was consistent. Jiang Cheng looked down at his mother's ring.

"It worked!" He turned his ring round and round, but nothing happened.

"Mn," Xichen nodded. "The Cleansing melody can calm another, right down to their soul and core. It's like I said earlier. Zidian simply follows your emotions, Wanyin. The calmer you are, the calmer it is. All you have to do is control your emotions–"

"Which isn't easy," Jiang Wanyin laughed bitterly. Xichen shook his head. 

He had noticed something strange since entering the Hanshi with Wanyin. He better ask now.

"Wanyin."

"Mn?"

"Why are you fidgeting? Do you feel unsafe here? Are you alright?"

Though Lan Xichen's words and tone were filled with worry and the sincerest concern, Jiang Wanyin crimsoned and looked down at his soaking hands, rotating Zidian over and over around his finger. What should he say? That he felt a curious, inexplicable discomfort in here? That he tried and failed countless times, to ignore a strange warmth bubbling through him, not just here, but whenever he was near the older Jade? And now, here he was, in this home where he could literally scent Lan Huan; in a room, alone, with the one man who kept making him feel like he was drowning, choking. How should he explain this to the other? It would certainly sound beyond stupid.

"Er... nothing, just... feels quite warm in here," he not-so lied, pulling his collar away from his neck to let the sweat evaporate.

"Oh dear, yes, you are red and sweating. Give me a minute." Xichen walked over to the window and opened it wider, and then proceeded to open another set of windows. "Feel better?" he asked sitting down on his mat.

"Huh? Oh yes, yes, much better, thank you." Just what the heck was wrong with him? "Er... I think I should go."

"Wait, Wanyin. You're still so red, do you have a fever?" Xichen placed his palm on Wanyin's forehead. The latter gasped, holding his breath, trying with all his might to get rid of the cursed heat intensifying within him.

"My god! Wanyin, you're burning up!" Xichen was genuinely shocked by Wanyin's seemingly bad health. No, his horrible health. He reached for the wrist, but Wanyin immediately stood up.

"Lan Huan, I'm fine! I need to go. Excuse me," Jiang Cheng turned, pacing incredibly fast towards the door. Xichen noticed Zidian furiously spitting sparks.

"Wanyin!"

The younger stopped. "What?"

"Will you... will you come tomorrow as well?" Lan Xichen was, for the first time in his life, stammering. "So we can practise. Tame Zidian. And have a cup of tea?"

For some unknown reason, Jiang Cheng was internally conflicting. There were two wolves inside him: one wanted to get out of there and never return; the other craved to come back. "I shall consider it. But scratch the tea off. I've had enough tea for a lifetime with A-Xian and Shifu."

Xichen smiled. "Then, how about Emperor's Smile?" 

Jiang Cheng smirked. These two Jades really are quite some Jades of Lan after all...

"Better." He back-waved to Lan Huan as he marched out of the Jingshi. For once after an incredibly long time, Jiang Wanyin was smiling, though even he didn't know why.

Back inside, the Gusu Jade watched the back of the retreating Yunmeng Pride. He felt as though he had gotten a heavy weight lifted off his shoulders. He had finally asked something he'd wanted to ask for quite some time now. Will this work? Might as well try, he wondered, softly smiling.