Backlash Part 1

Chapter 27: Lan Qiren's Residence

Lan Qiren had been in such a foul mood today that he had canceled class. It was the first time he recalled doing such a thing. He felt a bit ashamed that he couldn't focus himself enough to teach. Yesterday Lan Xichen had come to speak with him and told him something he never expected to hear. He told Lan Qiren that when Sect Leader Jiang and Madam Yu arrived they would be discussing more than just Wei Wuxian's recent suicide attempt. Lan Xichen stated he would be making a betrothal offer to YunmengJiang. He said that Lan Wangji wished to court Wei Wuxian.

Lan Qiren could not believe what he was hearing. He tried to deny it, but Lan Xichen looked him straight in the eyes and stated that it was not Lan Qiren's decision to make. Lan Qiren was almost certain someone was playing some trick on him. His nephew had never done such a thing. It was unimaginable and completely unacceptable. Lan Qiren wished he could say he remained calm and had a rational discussion with Lan Xichen on the matter. Unfortunately this was not the case. Before their discussion ended Lan Qiren had broken no less than twenty six rules. Lan Xichen counted them out for him.

Lan Qiren had shouted and sworn. Accused Wei Wuxian of using some foul technique to ensnare Lan Wangji. He rehashed every single incident of Wei Wuxian violating the rules. It was possibly the most unseemly behavior he had ever displayed. Throughout his tirade Lan Xichen had been perfectly silent. It was only after Lan Qiren had exhausted himself, like a toddler having a tantrum, that Lan Xichen responded.

Lan Xichen outlined every rule Lan Qiren had violated in the course of their discussion. Then he reviewed every instance of Wei Wuxian violating a rule that Lan Qiren had mentioned. Lan Xichen then referenced the punishments Wei Wuxian received for these violations. Which Lan Qiren suddenly realized were a bit more than was usually assigned for some of the mentioned violations. Lan Xichen then assigned Lan Qiren punishment for his violations in keeping with the typical punishments assigned for Lan Qiren's transgressions. Lan Xichen then looked at him with a face completely devoid of emotion. For a moment Lan Qiren thought he was looking at Lan Wangji.

'None of Wei-gongzi's violations were severe enough to warrant physical punishment. Since you executed this punishment on both him and Wangji it is only appropriate that you apologise to both of them.' By now Lan Qiren was too shocked to be surprised anymore. He sat there wordlessly as Lan Xichen spoke. Once he finished his piece Lan Xichen excused himself, but not before saying one more thing.

'Even when Wei-gongzi is struggling, just his presence is enough to make Wangji happier than I have ever seen him since mother's death. Wei-gongzi is who Wangji loves. Please use your time during your punishment to reflect on what you need to do to be more accepting towards Wei-gongzi. You will be seeing a lot more of him in the future.'

Lan Qiren had neither knelt in punishment, nor copied the rules in years. He knelt in his room for over half the night. He'd have to do so for two more nights to complete that portion of his punishment. Since he awoke this morning he had remained in his room copying the rules in compliance with the second half of his punishment. Lan Xichen had reduced the number of times Lan Qiren had to copy the rules in favor of having Lan Qiren complete an essay on each of the twenty six rules he had violated. Lan Qiren did note that this was actually a rather inspired approach. He was not happy about being punished like an unruly teenager, but he did respect Lan Xichen's insistence on fairness. It was true that the rules were meant to be enforced equally on everyone. This did include elders.

Further he found the reflection essays promoted him to carefully consider his behavior, far more than recopying the rules he had already memorized. He might consider recommending a change to the standard punishments to replace some of the copying with similar essays regarding the specific rules violated. It provided a much better opportunity for self-reflection, which Lan Qiren had to begrudgingly admit he needed. Twenty six violations in a single conversation. Even Wei Wuxian had not committed such a feat.

This was not to say that he was happy about the betrothal. Wei Wuxian was exactly the kind of reckless and wild individual that could bring Lan Wangji endless suffering. All Lan Qiren's efforts to keep his nephew's from suffering the same fate as their father felt wasted.

Do not make assumptions about others.

Lan Qiren sighed. It hadn't happened yet. It might not turn out the same way. If this really made Lan Wangji happy, as Lan Xichen insisted it did, could Lan Qiren take that away from his nephew? Lan Qiren still didn't believe it. He was not truly convinced that Wei Wuxian had that much of an impact on Lan Wangji. If he did. If Wei Wuxian really meant so much to Lan Wangji, then nothing Lan Qiren could do would change that. That was painfully obvious from the years he spent trying to stop Lan Wangji from kneeling outside his dead mother's residence. Nothing he tried ever succeeded. Let alone if Lan Wangji ever had such strong feelings for a living person. How could Lan Qiren ever hope to keep Lan Wangji away from them? Lan Qiren shook his head. He would just have to see for himself.

A knock at the door pulled Lan Qiren from his musings. He set aside his brush and stood. He did not wish to invite whomever it was in. Lan Qiren found the idea of anyone seeing him completing his punishment to be deeply embarrassing. So he went to the door and opened it. A rather flustered disciple bowed to him hastily.

"Xiansheng." The disciple addressed him. Lan Qiren waited for the disciple to continue with why they were here. "Two guest disciples are fighting." Lan Qiren was shocked.

"Which two?"

"Jiang-gongzi and Jin-gongzi." The disciple replied, still clearly flustered. Lan Qiren frowned.

"Take me to them." He commanded. As they made their way there Lan Qiren mentally reviewed Jiang Wanyin's recent violations and the assigned punishments. He confirmed that he had indeed been lenient. Jiang Wanyin had repeatedly been losing his temper over innocuous things. This long string of repeated violations could not continue. He would confirm the punishment with Lan Xichen first. Lan Qiren's current predicament was reminding him that he was not quite as clear headed of a judge as he thought himself to be. In this instance, however, he was quite certain they could not continue to give the Jiang heir lenient punishments for his misconduct.