the embroidered clouds on your clothing

Chapter 2 - Gratitude

Worried, Meng Yao glanced at the man who was leaning against the tree. Lan Xichen, Courtesy name Lan Huan and current leader of Lan clan. What on earth had happened, that this admirable and thoughtful man found himself here with tears in his eyes and a shaking body?

"Clan Leader Lan" he exclaimed again. Lan Xichen's eyes that had stared unfocused into the distance found their way to him. His breaths started to calm down into a regular speed, and he finally picked himself up and stood next to him. After clearing his throat he nodded slightly to Meng Yao.

"Childe Meng, I am much obliged," he said with a raspy voice. He lifted both his hands at a slow pace and put his left one in front of the other.
When Meng Yao realized, Zewu-Jun was about to bow to him, his ears turned slightly red, and wasn't sure what to do nor what to say. With an incredulous look on his face, he reached for the other man's forearms to prevent him from performing this great gesture of gratitude.

"Master... Master Zewu..." he stuttered, when he was finally able to bring himself to say something.
"There is no need to thank me like that. I am just... We... We are peers."
Surprised by those words, Lan Xichen turned his head, so he could look into Meng Yao's face, whose expression changed drastically when he realized that he had quoted what Lan Xichen had once said to him.

It had happened after their first meeting, at the salute ceremony in Cloud Recesses, when the other disciples had mocked Meng Yao for his ancestry as a lovechild of Clan leader Jin and a prostitute.
Whereas they had whispered behind his back and cast aspersions, Zewu-Jun thankfully accepted his present and treated him with respect.
Before him, Meng Yao had only experienced contempt, and if he had been lucky indifference.

Lan Xichen, who hadn't shown any positive emotion, smiled gently.
"You are right, Childe Meng".

Meng Yao looked around flustered and suddenly felt embarrassed because of his words. He had no right to talk to Zewu Jun like this.
He took a deep breath and started slightly to smile to hide his insecurity before he spoke again to the clan leader.

"Zewu Jun. May I ask, what had happened? Why... Why are you here?"
He paused for an instant to look at Lan Xichen's expression, but he had turned around so Meng Yao faced only his back.
Instantly he regretted that he had asked that question.
"Forgive me, Clan leader Lan, I should not have asked that question and interfere with your personal business."
He bowed in the direction of the other man, who still looked away.
"If you would want me to know, you would tell me, I shouldn't have asked."

And then, after a short moment, that had seemed to be an eternity, Lan Xichen turned around.
"Childe Meng. No offense was taken. I am grateful that we have met today, and I highly appreciate your interest and concern."
Meng Yao starred at him, again unsure what to respond but Lan Xichen took that burden from him as he continued talking while he started to walk slowly towards Meng Yao.
"I have not planned on coming here. In fact, I didn't plan anything, even now I don't know how to continue next."

He paused and also stopped his walk. It was impossible to not notice the tension that was surrounding them. Everything seemed to stop for one moment, and Meng Yao was scared for the words that would follow.

"Cloud Recesses was destroyed."

Wide-eyed, Meng Yao wanted to reply something, but Lan Xichen stopped him.

"Cloud Recesses was destroyed", he repeated. "Destroyed by Wen-Clan.
Most of the disciples of Lan Clan have probably been killed. I don't know for sure if my uncle and my brother are still alive and well, but I have to expect the worse. I am the only one who is left, burdened by the duty to help the Lan clan to continue.
But I am a traced man on the run."

He glanced at Meng Yao, and their eyes met. Meng Yao opened his mouth, just to close it again when Lan Xichen prevented him again from speaking.

"Childe Meng. I know you are not with the Nie Clan anymore. It's not your duty to get yourself involved with the struggles and conflicts of the main clans. I have wondered often where fate had led you since we departed last time and I sincerely believe that you are an honorable man."

With a determined facial expression, he stepped towards Meng Yao, who had frozen when he heard those unexpected kind words from the Clan leader. He was so short taken that he didn't had a chance to interfere when Lan Xichen bowed.

"If my assumption about you is correct, and I am very assured it is, I wish to request a plea from you. I have been earnest and truthful to you just now because I rely on my feeling that you are a man I can trust.

Childe Meng. I beg of you that you don't use that trust against Lan Clan or me. I am convinced that Wen Clan is going to supply the person who helped them to catch up with this fleeing man with great wealth. And I am also sure, that this moment will take place sooner or later. It could be anyone, but I am dearly hoping, that it is not you. I know that it also puts you in a critical position to remain silent about your meeting with me, so I will respect your decision, irrespective of what decision it will be."

In disbelief, Meng Yao stared at him. Thousands of emotions seem to explode in his gut, and he felt embarrassed as well as touched. But suddenly, all of his insecurities he had felt before were gone, and in his whole life, he had not been more sure about a decision.

"Clan leader Lan. This possibility is not going to occur. Neither sooner or later. I am honored that Zewu Jun placed his trust in me, and I am not going to disappoint you. Please accept my offer to let me help to hide Master Zewu. I shall never tell anyone about your position."

Lan Xichen didn't hesitate a bit to answer. "Childe Meng. I... I appreciate your offer, but I can and will not... "

This time, it was him who got interrupted.
"Clan Leader Lan. I am no Childe, but you still address me with that much politeness. You have been one of the only people that have ever been kind to people like me. I wish to repay this kindness. We agreed before that we are peers, so you can be assured that I am aware of possible outcomes and the risks that could wait for us.

But I am determined to face that risk."

Lan Xichen blinked to get rid of the pressure that was building up at his temples because he was overwhelmed by his feels. He had never heard Meng Yao speak up with that much confidence before and he was unable to respond. So he just smiled, overflowed with gratitude, at Meng Yao.

And interpreting that smile as agreement, Meng Yao smiled back.