A/N: OK, people, so here's something I want to say. Testimony to all the amazing [elder] sisters in the world!

This chapter is dedicated to this one amazing person I know. 

The chapter's full of fluff at first, then emotions abound! An old friend of ours is coming back for a moment, because I stan her and she deserves a proper ending! This chapter is a tribute to her.

The reason behind the dedication is this. I've never had a real elder sister all my life, so writing something like this would have been quite a challenge to imagine such sisterly tenderness. But then I found my soul-bound sister, my one and only jiejie. She's the best person I've known. 

Shoutout to my jiejie, @NebulusCharlie!! 💗💗💗💗💗

Back to the story, #HappyReading!

_________________________________________________________

"Lan Zhan, you seem to be much better now!"

Wei Wuxian shouted, despite being choked to death by Lan Wangji's bear hug.

"A-Ying... I'm cured now."

"I won't buy it. Not until Doctor says so."

Lan Zhan crushed his husband further. Wei Wuxian screamed, his wails echoing all the way from the Jingshi to the Cloud Recesses compound where Sizhui and his friends stood flabbergasted, and even to the Elders' Hall where Qiren almost dropped his teacup.

"Lan Zhan, stop this right now! Why are you being this cru–"

"See? I'm stronger. I'm better. No need Doctor."

Wei Wuxian couldn't help but burst out laughing. "You're killing me for that? To show you've healed? Well, try harder, I don't mind," he chuckled despite being suffocated by Lan Zhan's massive chest and broad shoulders.

"Wei Ying, if you don't believe me, I might have to show you," Lan Zhan smirked, instantly sweeping Wei Wuxian off his feet and carrying him over to the bed.

"LAN ZHAN! No, you won't listen. Fine!" He changed to plan B. "DOCTOR! DOCTOR–!" This guy won't even let me shout? Wei Wuxian wondered as Lan Zhan forced his mouth shut with his own lips. Wei Wuxian flung his arms and legs at the man carrying him like a bride, his voice muffled yet screaming through the kiss. He would have, of course, most gladly surrendered, but right now wasn't the time. Wei Ying needed to be certain of his husband's health. Sorry, Lan Zhan, he thought as he waved his hand to summon a golden sheet and slammed it on Lan Zhan's back. Bad decision.

The moment Lan Zhan was rendered immobile, his hands let go, and Wei Ying crashed to the floor. By the time he cried out in pain, the doctor burst into the Jingshi with the Lan Shifu and Lan Sect Leader.

"Master Wei!"

"D-Doctor! Lan Zhan: lay him on the bed and check him, p-please!" Wei Wuxian mumbled, difficulty lifting himself on his elbows as he lay on the ground. Xichen rushed forward to help his brother up, while the doctor moved towards the falling Lan Zhan to catch him. With Qiren's help, Lan Zhan was laid on the bed. 

Wei Ying, wait till they're gone. You asked for this! Lan Zhan vowed in his heart to teach his husband a good lesson afterwards.

Wei Wuxian was helped to a mat by the table by Lan Xichen, who sat opposite him. "Thank you, gege," Wei Wuxian muttered, looking sideways at his brother, only to be enraged by the sight he saw.

Lan Xichen was laughing heartily. 

"Gege! How could you!"

"Didi, you two are the most chaotic I've met," Xichen chuckled incessantly. "I just remembered something, that time when you tricked Wangji into drinking, back in your school days. Is this the trick?" Xichen asked.

Wei Wuxian went silent for a moment, and stared with round eyes. "You know?"

"Wanyin told me."

"Oh? Ge," Wei Wuxian tapped his nose, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Since when are you and my Shidi this close?"

Now it was Lan Xichen's turn to sink into silence. Wei Wuxian rolled on the floor laughing, at the impeccable sight of Lan Xichen's jade face being painted a dark vermilion.

While the two had such an entertaining encounter, the doctor chuckled at the other end of the room. Having checked Second Master Lan's pulse and wounds, he reported, "Master Wei, your husband has healed wonderfully quick! Lady Jiang really knew her medicine." Then, the doctor chortled. "Master Wei, shall I remove the talisman?"

Wei Wuxian, picking himself up from rolling on the floor, quickly replied, "Oh no, don't. I'll do it myself. Has he really healed?"

"Yes."

"Fully?"

"Absolutely. You can free him from his jail now," the Doctor spoke as he strolled out of the Jingshi, still laughing.

"Wangji, come meet me later," Qiren said, before nodding to Wei Wuxian and marching out.

"Alright then! Wuxian-di, remember we still have work! And you better enlighten xiongdi about the task, too. But, of course," Lan Huan chuckled again. "You can spend some time alone before that! Have fun, Wangji!" Lan Huan waved cheekily at his brother before hurrying out of the Jingshi.

Wei Ying moved to the doors and locked them. Then, he turned to his husband. Lan Zhan looked at him, glaring at him in a frightening way: Wei Ying didn't even falter. Skipping the part where he must remove the immobilising paper man, he climbed onto the bed and kneeled on top of Lan Zhan, legs on either side, hands on either side of his head, eyes sparkling with sweet, wicked mischief. 

"Lan-er-gege," he grinned brazenly, sliding the tip of his nails along Lan Zhan's face, "You don't know how tempting you can be when you're pissed!" Wei Ying sniggered. Lan Zhan managed to cock an eyebrow at him, making the latter grin wide, before softly biting the bow-shaped brow. "Hanguang-Jun, don't worry, I'll keep my promise. Just wanted to stare at you for a while."

Lan Zhan bore with his indecent husband who simply watched and studied his face for quite a while, before the other finally rolled over, lifted Lan Zhan's back and retrieved the talisman. Without wasting a breath, Lan Wangji rolled onto his side, grabbed Wei Wuxian by his waist and kissed the living daylights out of him. The victim of the attack succumbed to the exquisite pleasure more than willingly. Lan Zhan, even gladder that Wei Ying wasn't resisting, devoured him wholly.

**********

Three entire weeks passed by. Neither Hanguang-Jun nor the Yiling Patriarch was in any need of leaving their little circle of life that extended from their waterfall to their Jingshi. By the end of three weeks of ultimate isolation and the divine ecstasy that came with it, Wei Ying was satisfied enough to lift the wards that blocked the entry to the Jingshi, and the waterfall and bunny-hill behind it.

Another week passed: it was as though the two had come to an agreement to spend a whole month together. During the last week, however, Sizhui came one day to check if the wards were still in effect. When he saw that he could enter, he quickly ran back and returned with his friends. Zizhen was here, too, tagging along with the two lovers' sons. The four happily ran towards the Jingshi — which was empty. They then tumbled down the hill towards the waterfall, crying out "Daddy" and "Father" — only Zizhen, the one non-orphan, stuck to "Wei-gege".

They found the Yiling Patriarch and former Chief Cultivator buried in a mountain of soft white fuzz. "Daddy?" Sizhui asked.

A pale hand shot up into the air. "Sizhui? Help!"

Sizhui snickered and slowly, he signalled to the other three. One by one, they lifted and kept aside the bunnies, who seemed more than reluctant to let go of their beloved masters. When every last white rabbit had been kept aside, the kids turned to the seniors. 

Hanguang-Jun had already sat up hastily. He strangely and comically flushed a deep red. Zizhen grinned as he noticed the all-too-visible love bites all over Hanguang-Jun's face and neck, but dared not mention it aloud — not that he had to, for the other three were already blushing and turning away to look at Wei Wuxian.

Wei Wuxian, being the perfect opposite of Lan Wangji, lay there on the ground in the most indecent manner possible, his body slanted, his legs crossed and the foot of the leg on top was swinging as he propped himself up on his elbows. He seemed to be covered in more red marks than the earlier one: clearly, the two had been rather busy under the pile of fluff. And when Wei Wuxian cried help, extracting the bunnies may not have been the one thing he meant. But none of the children minded this. All together they ran towards their friend, knelt down beside him and group-hugged the reposing Wei Wuxian.

"You four, were you guys good these days?"

"Yes!"

"Didn't misbehave at all?"

"No!"

"What? And you call yourselves my sons?" Wei Wuxian looked at them, grinning but bewildered.

"Wei Ying!" Lan Zhan spoke in a warning voice.

"Lan Zhan, don't start being the good and stern father. You were the worst and most mischievous these days, so you don't have the right to talk!" Wei Wuxian wiggled a finger at his husband, his face all chiding but his eyes laughing.

Lan Zhan really did have nothing to say to defend himself and hence, he simply looked away, ears pink.

"Daddy, we went on two night-hunts. With Wen Shushu. All went well!" Sizhui explained.

"Achievements?" Lan Zhan turned and asked.

"We actually won the second one! Biggest bounty above all else that night!" Jingyi boasted ever-so proudly.

His fathers were even prouder, beaming at their children and each other, each thinking, They really are our sons.

"Good," Lan Zhan nodded with one of his rare smiles.

"Excellent! Absolutely brilliant! Now, then, answer my questions!" Wei Ying suddenly got serious.

The four looked up at him, worried.

"Zizhen, what are you doing here?"

"Oh, father came with some other sect leaders to meet with Sect Leader Nie, Zewu-Jun and Angr–" he smacked his forehead, "Sect Leader Jiang. So I secretly sneaked in with Dad to see Wei-gege and Hanguang-Jun!"

Wei Ying flicked his head. "Really are my son," he chortled. "Good. Now tell me, you didn't do anything mischievous during the night hunt?"

The four tried to look as innocent as they could. But to no avail. Wei Ying wagged a finger and grinned cheekily. "I won't believe it! So you better tell me! I'm just bored, alright, I want to hear some good tale!"

Sizhui shook his head and sat beside his more proper father. 

"So nope, this guy did nothing. He never would anyway. Jin Ling, you too might as well go sit there. You two? Something?"

Jingyi and Zizhen exchanged glances before bursting out laughing. 

"Fantastic! Now tell me!"

While the two related the legend of "Young Master Amorous and Young Master Garrulous meeting a beautiful young lady and pranking her mean husband", the more decent Young Master Benevolent and Young Mistress Jin sat beside their equally decent father, watching with gentle smiles the show unfolding before them. Somehow, when the three doubled up and began to roll on the floor with laughter, the three in the audience also cracked into softer laughter. Wei Wuxian's cheer was infectious.

"Oh wow, and you dared to act all innocent. You two are amazing! Not at all second to me now! Well, the 'me' back then. Alas," he sighed loudly, propping himself back on his shoulders, "someone's made me all loyal and true. I used to be worse than you guys, you know? Ask Sect Leader Nie or Jiang. They'll tell you. It's this trickster who turned me into this ever-so pure man!" He cried, hurling a pebble at Lan Zhan — who caught it easily, glared at the assaulter, before tossing it backwards into the springs.

"Alright, then next question. How is Wen Shushu?" Wei Wuxian asked, turning to Sizhui.

"Wen Shushu's doing great! He chats with us while these two go on their missions," Jin Ling said.

"He told us how he started to grow this carrot patch so we can bring some for the bunnies!" Sizhui exclaimed in joy.

Wei Wuxian smiled softly. A-Ning, you really are the greatest brother and uncle. A-Qing will be proud.

Wei Wuxian suddenly shot up onto his feet. "Right! I forgot! A-Zhan, is my period of isolation over?"

Lan Zhan grinned. "Mn," he nodded.

"THANK YOU!" He hugged Lan Zhan tight like A-Yuan would, then began to run in the direction of the Jingshi. The children and Lan Wangji sat on the grass, looking at each other, confused.

**********

Minutes later, Wei Wuxian was running back, Chenqing and Suibian in his hands. Without bothering to explain to any one of the blinking onlookers, he hastily took position somewhere in the centre of the clearing and played a familiar tune. Within seconds into the eerie song, rattling chains could be heard crashing through the trees. The Ghost General stumbled onto the ground, crying out in pain as his head hit the grass.

"Oh dear, A-Ning! I've told you not to be in such a hurry!"

"Young Master Wei," Wen Ning picked himself up and stood before his friend and brother. "I thought you were in danger when you called this suddenly."

"Oh. No no, just... A-Ning, I think I've found just the way to thank you."

"Hm?" Wen Ning bent his head forward and enlarged his eyes, while also tilting his head, making Wei Wuxian laugh at the expression of utter innocence.

"I have a gift to give you."

"Gift?"

Wei Wuxian nodded. He turned around to look at the others and spoke. "A-Zhan, A-Yuan, you guys stay. Jin Ling, send your Jiujiu and Lan Shushu here. Tell them they're to meet an old friend. Oh right, Huaisang too. You three better leave, you don't know this person. And do NOT tell Shifu!"

The three nodded and ran away to send the message, despite their curiosity.

"A-Ying?"

"Daddy?"

"A-Yuan, you might remember her. A-Zhan, you and all of us know her too well. A-Ning, here's your gift."

All the reference to a 'her' was enough to make Wen Ning want to cry. "Young Master Wei..."

"Sh! Not a word. I owe you too much, this is the least I can do."

They waited a while for the three sect leaders to come running in. At the sight of Wen Ning, all three glimpsed at each other, confusion obvious on their faces. Was Wen Ning who Wei Wuxian wanted them to meet? But why?

Wei Wuxian waved to his three brothers and beckoned them over to stand with his husband and his son, all in a circle. Why, wasn't this the arrangement the other day? When they met Yanli? Who would they meet today?

As Wei Wuxian played the same melody, a blood-red array formed around the circle of cultivators and a fierce corpse. Once the array was formed, Wei Wuxian switched to another tune. It took quite some time, before Wei Wuxian heard a stern yet alluring voice behind him.

"Wei Wuxian?"

"Thank God you're there! Come into the array," he replied to the not-at-all gentle voice.

All seven watched as an eighth figure walked into the array, first vapour-like, then materialising into an all-too-familiar person. She stood in the centre of the array, her robes redder than the array, her poise dignified and proud, her eyes benevolent, but her face stern and her lips pursed in serenity. Only one woman in the whole wide world could look so beautiful and deadly at the same time.

"Hello, A-Qing."

"Wei Wuxian," Wen Qing nodded back, finally gently smiling.

"Jiejie!" Wen Ning, badly wishing he could explode into tears but finding himself physically unable to, fell to his knees.

"A-Ning! What's this?" Wen Qing ran to her brother to hug him — but experienced the same difficulty Yanli did. "Wei Wuxian–"

"Don't look at me, you won't possess either of us, no use asking!" Wei Wuxian raised his hands, then lowered them. His face turned graver as he mumbled, "And Zidian's not with us today, it's with Little Rulan. Sorry, A-Qing, this is all I can do."

"I know, idiot! I lived with you for so long you think I didn't read your notes?"

"A-Qing!"

"I just wanted to ask why they're all here. Why you called me."

"Oh." Wei Wuxian scratched his nape. Well, I wanted to give you two a chance to meet up again, and to give A-Ning a gift of gratitude. I wanted to see you too! Them... we were all friends once, you know?"

Wen Qing sighed. She smiled at her brother gently and tenderly for some time, which calmed him down. Once the two felt better, Wen Qing stood up. "Lan Wangji, yes, I'm glad to see you. You were good. You three... I don't have anything to say to you." She tossed her head away from the sight of the three sect leaders, ignoring how Jiang Cheng was leaning onto Xichen, almost on his own knees.

"A-Qing..."

"Wei Wuxian, no negotiating. Were they there for any of us Wens were chased and tortured and killed? And him, was he there for you?" She shouted, pointing at Jiang Cheng. "I don't even know why he's here at all. Zewu-Jun, I at least respect. Nie Huaisang," she coolly shrugged. "You!" she pointedly glared at the man shaking in his purple robes.

"A-Qing–" Jiang Cheng began.

"Don't talk to me. Anything between us ended when I returned that comb. Do not talk to me." Wei Wuxian, Wen Ning and Lan Wangji looked at each other at the sight of the flaring anger of a true Wen. Her words were flames, scorching Jiang Wanyin terribly. 

Lan Xichen, on the contrary, was being tortured by the thought that his friend was still so affected by her. There had been something between them? Well, it had ended. I should help Wanyin recover, was all that crossed Xichen's mind at that moment.

"Jiejie, calm down," Wen Ning said to his sister.

"A-Qing, I can't argue, but I must say, you should at least talk to him!" Wei Wuxian pointed to his right.

"But of course, I did talk to Lan Wangji!"

"No, Wen Qing, the one next to me," Lan Zhan said, putting his hand around Lan Sizhui's shoulder.

Lan Sizhui stared back. His head was literally buzzing. Who was this lady? This aura... so familiar. Fiery, proud, above all others, dignified, glorious. Not the kind of arrogant pride the Jins had, but a regal pride. A Wen's aura. A true Wen. But she was a spirit. Her Wen-ness persevered through death, too? Wen Qing? Wasn't she burnt to death? Oh, right, it only prevented her from turning into a fierce corpse, couldn't diminish her soul... Wen Qing.... Wen Qing...

"Qing-jiejie!"

Wen Qing stared, surprised to the maximum. What had he just called her? Only A-Ning and that little boy called her that...

"A-Yuan?"

"Qing-jiejie!" Lan Sizhui, who, mind you, was also Wen Yuan, ran to his cousin sister, shouting with glee at the memories that flooded his mind like a broken dam. He tried to hug her but received a cold shiver instead. "Qing-jiejie..." Wen Yuan pouted sadly.

Wen Qing laughed. "A-Yuan, I can't hug you! But we can talk! You've grown so much! But wait, why are you a Lan now?" She turned straight to Lan Wangji. "Second Young Master Lan, you–?"

"Yes. I adopted him."

"But when? Why?"

"After Wei Ying died." He almost choked as he spoke the one word he hated to say together with his favourite name. "He was Wei Ying's son."

Wen Qing beamed at Lan Wangji, who was amazed. Wen Qing smiling this brightly was as rare a view as his own smile. Suddenly, she turned to glimpse at the so-called father. "Oi, since when is he your son?"

"What? He's not yours! I adopted him!"

"Hm? Same answer from both?" She instinctively looked down at their hands. Yes, she was right. She smiled as she saw the makeshift rings. "You're together now?"

Wei Wuxian blushed. Lan Wangji nodded, "Mn."

"Good. Very good. You missed him a lot back then. It's good you're together now," Wen Qing nodded happily, while Lan Zhan internally noted down this bit of information eagerly.

"Qing-jiejie," Wen Yuan said, making Wen Qing turn back to him. He was grinning.

"What is it, A-Yuan?" She smiled back.

"Qing-jiejie, do you remember how Daddy buried me in a pile of radishes?"

Wen Qing laughed again at the sweet memory. "Of course, how can I forget that moment when Wei Wuxian showcased his intense idiocy?"

Wen Ning chuckled, too.

"Well, when Father brought me here, he buried me, too! In a pile of bunnies!"

"What?"

"Yes!"

"What made you say this all of a sudden?" Wen Qing asked through the giggles.

"Well, I just wanted to show you how alike they are," he grinned.

Wen Qing gently poked his nose. "You really are Wei Wuxian's son! Cheeky boy," she laughed heartily. After the boop, she perked up. "Did you say bunnies?"

"Mn!"

"Jiejie, look there!" Wen Ning pointed to Lan Zhan's and Wei Ying's feet, where there was a cluster of white.

"Bunnies in the Cloud Recesses? Wei Wuxian! Don't ruin this sacred place!"

"It wasn't me! Ask him!" He shouted.

Wen Qing raised an eyebrow at Lan Wangji, who nodded, desperately trying to ignore his pink ears. Wen Qing snickered, before turning away. She was silent for a while, before she turned to Lan Wangji again.

"Second Young Master Lan."

"Wen Qing."

"Thank you," two voices resonated together.

Both goggled at each other. "Wen Qing, why are you thanking me?"

"For taking care of A-Yuan. And keeping A-Ning." Her face blossomed into that scarce smile.

"Oh. No, Wen Qing, thank you."

"But why?"

"For taking care of A-Ying. You were by his side, back then." Lan Zhan couldn't bring himself to look up. Wei Ying sighed: will this regret never fade away?

"He is our saviour, brother. How can I not look after him?" The two nodded to each other. "Wei Wuxian, thank you for this. I think I'll go back now."

"You're not going back. You're moving on."

"Nope. Wei Wuxian, no thanks, I'm good this way."

Wei Wuxian was taken aback. "A-Qing, what do you mean? You shouldn't stay like this forever!"

"Alright, let's say I move on. Then what?"

Wei Wuxian shrugged. "You'll reincarnate. Maybe become the next greatest doctor! Maybe even be born into our Lan clan!"

"No thank you," Wen Qing firmly replied.

"Wen Qing!" Wei Wuxian felt shocked. Why was she denying?

"Wei Wuxian!" Wen Qing looked into the addressee's eyes. What Wei Wuxian saw wasn't anger, but pride. Pride and loyalty. "I told you, I'm good as I am. I don't want to reincarnate. The Other Realm is good enough. And no matter how great your Lan clan is, I don't want to be born a Lan." She slowly turned away.

"But... why?"

Wen Qing stopped and turned her head back in Wei Wuxian's direction. She only uttered six words, but they brimmed with the sensation that was in her eyes. "Once a Wen, always a Wen."

Wei Wuxian smiled. It felt good to see her old flaming spirit again.

She turned to Nie Huaisang. "Nie Huaisang."

"Wen Qing." The craftiest Nie and greatest doctor bowed to each other.

"Young Master Lan," she turned to Lan Huan.

"Lady Wen," he replied, and bowed to her. She bowed back.

She turned to the third. Wen Qing stood there, watching him for a while, while he stared at the grass. She gulped and turned away.

"A-Qing!"

She stopped. Turning on her heels, sighing, she barked at him, "What?"

He put out his hand, which held something in it. A beautiful wooden comb.

"I returned it to you once, what more do you want?"

"Take this with you."

"I'm not doing that."

"I only said take it with you, not keep it. Toss it away into some dark corner in the Other Realm. Neither you nor I want to see it again," Jiang Cheng spoke through gritted teeth.

Wen Qing stared in disbelief, before nodding. She never had loved him, so she was pleased to see him letting go. She took the comb and turned around. "Give me a moment." She spun on one foot and vanished for a few seconds, before reappearing. She dusted off her hands. "There, done." She bowed her head to Jiang Cheng, who did the same.

"Wei Wuxian," she turned to the said man. "Thank you for taking care of my didi. And for God's sake, behave," she smirked.

Wei Wuxian smirked back and nodded.

"Second Young Master Lan, please take care of this idiot."

"Always."

Wen Qing then turned to Wen Yuan. "A-Yuan, be a good boy. Don't be like your stupid daddy, be like this father, alright? Be a good Lan, but remember, you are a Wen by blood. Don't let anyone harm you," Wen Qing gazed into Wen Yuan's teary eyes, smiled and walked away.

"A-Ning."

"Jiejie."

"Take care of A-Yuan. And Wei Wuxian. And yourself."

Wen Ning nodded. "I always will, jiejie."

Wen Qing smiled, "My good didi." She bent forward and lightly planted a kiss on Wen Ning's forehead. Wen Ning gasped. For instead of a bone-chilling sensation, he actually felt the soft kiss. It seemed as though the Gods above gave her a chance. Wen Ning let that feeling of warmth and doting seep into his bones; the sisterly love and wholesome affection. She beamed at her didi, then stood straight. 

Her back unswerving, her curves elegant and sharp, her lips pursed with composure and her eyes burgeoning with purity and pride, she radiated a domineering aura of superlative superiority. She gave one last smile, bursting with a sister's endearment, to Wei Wuxian before vanishing once more.

As the array slowly disappeared under its creator's command, one thought echoed in everyone's mind. "That aura... Once a Wen, always a Wen."

Almost a half-hour passed in wholesome quietness, everyone left deep in thought and amazement by the most outstanding doctor of all time.

"Wei-xiong, come have lunch with us," Nie Huaisang broke the silence.

"Right. Wen Ning, how about you join us?"

"Me?"

"Don't worry, they'll accept you better now. Just don't talk to them, all will be good."

"But I don't eat..."

"Ah right. Then... I won't eat either! We'll chat with them while they eat."

"Me too!" Lan Sizhui shouted.

Wen Ning nodded. Tossing away his chains for the bunnies to play with, he strode up to stand beside his nephew. 

Wei Wuxian patted the one odd black rabbit's head before taking his stand beside Lan Zhan. Together, all seven walked to the Hall. On the way, Jiang Cheng turned to his brother. "A-Xian, thank you."

"Can't believe I'm hearing this!" Wei Wuxian sniggered. "But then again... A-Cheng, you know what I learnt about thanking someone?"

"What?"

Wei Wuxian thought of Wen Ning, Wen Qing and Shijie. Then, he looked with a soft, sad smile at his darling husband who was holding his hand and said, "It's never enough."