Lotus Amidst Clouds

Secrets

Lan Wangji usually hated staying in his room all the time. Lan rules dictated that a person should get at least an hour of activity and some sunlight everyday. However, the case was completely different in Yunmeng. Being sick meant that Wei Wuxian would stay him the whole day. Since Wei Wuxian felt terribly guilty about Lan Wangji falling sick after eating the food he had made, he spent all his time with Wangji even when Wangji told him not to blame himself.

The prescribed bed rest period was only a couple of days but Madam Cangse insisted that Wangji take good care of himself. This opinion was shared by Jiang Yanli, who thought wangji's current state entailed him to stay in and be pampered by the Weis and the Jiangs. However, this situation had both pros and cons. Wangji wanted to begin planning his proposal to Wei Ying, but since the latter was always him, with he couldn't speak to Zian about it. He knew what he wanted to do. What he did not know was how he would pull it off without any help from outside. He considered asking Yanli, but she would definitely write to his brother about it. What Wangji intended to do was extremely un -Lan like, and he did not wish for anyone other than Zian and Suihua to know.

"What are you thinking about, Lan Zhan?"

Wei Wuxian's voice back brought him to reality. He was pretending to read a book while also trying to find a solution to his dilemma.

"Nothing, Wei Ying. I was engrossed in my book."

" Lan Zhan."

" Mn?"

"The Lans don't lie."

"Why would I lie?"

"The book is upside down, Lan Wangji. "

Lan Wangji did not know how to react to that.

" Second Young Master Lan, tell me honestly. What is it that bothers you? Are you sick? Bored? Hungry? Are you mad at me?TELL ME!"

Just then, a stroke of inspiration struck Wangji. He would be killing three birds with one stone!"

"Lately, I have realised that I am too awkward with Young Master Jiang. I know our temperaments do not align, but he is very close to you. Could you tell him to come speak to me one of these days?"

Wei Wuxian was silent. He suddenly began to laugh loudly, to Wangji's surprise.

"Is it that funny?'

"No, I'm just glad. The fact that you're trying to get along with that young fool Wanyin for my sake is very touching. Thank you, Lan Zhan."

Wangji felt guilty lying to Wei Wuxian, but it was for the best. Jiang Cheng particularly disliked Wangji, and he could understand. If someone came to Gusu and monopolized Xichen's time, Wangji, too, would be upset. Wangji would have to convince Jiang Cheng that he truly loved Wei Ying, and what better way to do it than having him help set up Wangji's proposal? This way, he would get close to Jiang Cheng, his brother wouldn't find out and, most importantly, having the Jiang Clan's Young Master with him would help him out when he needed to go to the markets of Yunmeng. Lan Wangji was intelligent, but he would get duped more often than not while buying things.

Yes, the money given to him by his father was more than enough, but the Lans discouraged lavish spending. They also, somehow,  encouraged a good proposal with a lot of gifts? Some of the Lan rules were contradictory, but Wangji would find a loophole somehow. It  was one of Xichen and their mother's favourite pastime, spotting the errors in the 3000 rules of their clan and using the knowledge to their advantage. More often than not, Wangji would join them too.

He had hoped that he could have his mother help him with Wei Ying's proposal in person, but the sudden outburst by his soon- to -be fiancé had sped up his plan. Lan Wangji refused to let Wei Wuxian wait a whole month to hear his answer.