[[忘羡 | WangXian 3]] : Our Flesh And Bones

[28.] Lan Xichen/Gusu Lan Clan

Note:

Probably the hardest chapters to have ever written in my entire life. Lan Xichen deserved so much better! And yea, Jiang Cheng too...

This is a fresh new ship for me, and I will try to give them justice in this story. If you are shipping them too – you will like the next chapters.

***

When Lan Xichen arrived it was already fully dark outside. He stepped inside, after being announced by Bai Li officially, and once again, it felt like the wind had caught a whiff of deepest, iciest winter. He glowed, in his snow-white robes, bearing a shine of his own; and when he bowed and greeted the company officially and respectfully, Lan Zhan's heart sank. His brother was still in mourning, still stubbornly suffering behind his kindness and polite words, after all these years. Perhaps it ran in the family. Blood was thicker.

Wei Wuxian was oblivious to those emotions in his husband. He excitedly approached and bowed too; the Head of the Gusu Lan Clan was the only one he dared not hug.

- Zewu-Jun, always a pleasure to have you with us! Such honor! I am – we are! – so glad you could make it! I know you have been quite busy lately. – Wei Ying bowed again. Unbeknownst to him, Lan Wangji had approached too, and now took a bow too, saying calmly:

- I am glad too, Brother. It is always good to see you.

- Thank you, both. You are too kind. – Lan Xichen smiled sweetly.

- Duh, why didn't I get a welcome like this?! – huffed Jiang Cheng from his seat, sulking.

- Sandu Shengshou. – Lan Xichen bowed deeply in his direction, blushing a little. – Greetings! I hope you are well.

- Ha! - Jiang Wanyin did not answer. Jin Ling, sitting next to him obediently, shuddered again. Anyone with just a little brain would be afraid of Sandu Shengshou's wrath.

Lan Xichen lowered his eyes, and said quietly:

- Without further ado, Wei Wuxian, here is my present for you. It is a present for the both of you. It is my last present, so I hope you will be able to enjoy it properly.

Everybody in the room was silent, wondering what those words meant. Wei Ying was gaping, as he saw no package or box whatsoever. Lan Wangji, knowing his brother too well, frowned. He knew that with Lan Huan every word counted.

Lan Xichen reached inside one of his long sleeves and took out a string with a little shining object tied at the end, and, reaching out, he placed it around Wei Ying's neck. Then, to his utter surprise, Lan Xichen leaned in and hugged him, whispering in his ear:

- This is for you only. Do with it as you please. My servant has placed the casket this key opens in your bedroom. I know how my brother can be, Wei Wuxian... But remember that you have control too. Continue on your path in life together, as equals.

Wei Ying's breath hitched. He didn't know what to make out of these words, but instinctively knew that they were important. He glanced in the sad eyes once he was released from the embrace, confused, and then glanced back at Lan Zhan, who had been standing close by and heard everything.

- Thank you, kindly, Zewu-Jun. There is, as always, kindness and wisdom in your words. I am sure your present is excellent. – he wasn't sure what Lan Xichen's smile meant, but now looked down to his chest and saw a small figurine, cut out of some white material, probably mother-of-pearl, resembling a symbol on a music note sheet – it was delicate and looked extremely fragile. Wei Ying thought that whatever that casket was – it would have to be opened cautiously, every time.

The silence that followed was deafening. It was a very intimate thing, for a present to not be opened in public, moreover among family, but no one objected; Zewu-Jun had earned everyone's respect many years ago.

- Come sit by my side, Brother. – Lan Zhan said simply, and Lan Xichen nodded.

**

The feast continued late into the night. Wei Ying's good mood was contagious and people were moving around, talking in pairs or in groups, catching up, sipping on wine and telling stories. Wei Wuxian would brag about his presents loudly, saying boldly that this was the best year of the Rooster for presents ever in his whole life, but secretly he was gathering courage to tell the company his and Lan Zhan's news.