[曦澄 | XiCheng]: The Fear Of Falling In Love [~PART 1~]

[98.] Rebirth.

Note:

Source for the Cloud Recesses layout: 

https://modao-zushi.fandom.com/wiki/Cloud_Recesses

****

- It was an open act of war this time, Brother.  –  Lan Wangji's voice rose.  –  An assassination attempt on the Gusu Lan Clan Leader and his family is just that, and nothing else. I think that everything has become clearer now.

Lan Xichen was silent. He wished all this could be happening somewhere away from his husband and his son; even with his peripheral vision, he could see that Jiang Wanyin was far too pale and biting his lips. He could not ask him to forget and abandon his family and his Clan just like that. He knew that his loved one's loyalties were shifting, but still  –  blood ran thicker than water. 

He murmured softly:

- Are you alright, Wanyin...?

- I am. I am with you, Zewu-Jun.  -  Sandu Shengshou said weakly.

- I think we should focus on renovations right now. –  Lan Xichen said in a firm and louder voice, startling his nephews who were sitting very quietly just behind their fathers  –  the children instinctively felt that something bad, something serious had been happening.

- I agree.  -  Hanguang-Jun said, but frowned deeply.

- No war can be lead in such awful weather, Brother, Brother-in-law.  –  Lan Huan bowed his head lightly towards them.  –  But I will not forgive. Not for myself. For my beloved, and for my child. –  he grumbled.

Jiang Wanyin shuddered and his grip on Zewu-Jun's good arm tightened. It was final. It had been decided now.

- The Hánshì  will be rebuilt. It will be better and bigger in the future. And an adjacent room will be built.  –  he blushed slightly.  –  A nursery for our son.

- A-Huan...  -  Jiang Cheng hid his flushed face in his robe.

- I will drink to that!  –  Wei Ying grinned and downed his cup of wine.

- Indeed. Sometimes we have to destroy completely so that we can build up better and sturdier, from the ground, from scratch.  -  Hanguang-Jun joined the toast with his cup –  of tea.

- The Gods have been merciful  –  the fire missed my greatest treasures  –  my family, and my legacy, the Library Pavilion.  –  Lan Huan said seriously.  –  As long as we have love and support, and loyalty  –  all material things are mutable, and unimportant to me.

- Zewu-Jun is wise. Soon we will celebrate Hanguang-Jun's birthday and then New Year's, thanking with offerings to the Gods.  –  Wei Wuxian added.  –  Still... the guards and patrols should be tripled. The rooftops should be watched.  –  he frowned.

- Too true, Master Wei. It shall be done. –  Lan Xichen nodded.  –  Right now, my first priority will be my health and my husband. And the safety of the Clan.

Lan Wangji nodded too, humming thoughtfully.

- Letters should be dispatched, informing the Clans. Today.  –  he turned towards his husband.

- Ehh, Lan Zhan! What now?  

He raised an eyebrow, but as his brain got the idea too quickly, he yelled too soon:

- No! Umm, no!  I am not going to help you to write letters all day long, Lan Zhan! You know how much I hate wr---

Hanguang-Jun leaned in and his hair fell to the front to hide their kiss, but Wei Ying's moans were very clearly heard, making the boys giggle and whisper among themselves.

Zewu-Jun was nodding, ignoring all else  –  his eyes were fixed on the arrows. He was worried that this crazy woman would think of another ruse to try to trick and harm them. He wasn't too sure if the violent act was meant to be against him, or against Sandu Shengshou  –  Madam Yu was obviously a sore loser.

He felt his husband's warm hand slide and hug his waist, and his heart skipped a beat... The less Jiang Cheng knew  –  the better. Neither he, nor Sandu Shengshou could afford to lose another baby.

The talks and organization of planned events and errands continued over lunch, and the afternoon was spent in writing letters to the Elders of the whole Lan Clan. Lan Xichen felt strong enough, and spent the afternoon in his study, and Jiang Cheng spent most of the time resting, and playing with his nephews, isolated from the other three. He knew that he could not be of any real help. He also knew all the emotions that were running in his husband's chest because of him.

***

What he didn't know, and never suspected, was that Lan Xichen had sent spies to Yunmeng weeks ago.