Pitched Normal

35

"We are moving Young Master Wei out of the Jiang rooms." XiChen had not said such a thing in a way that would leave any doubt about what he was intending. He did not want his brother's betrothed in danger because of this courting. He knew that his brother was not going to do anything to endanger this courting. He would court Wei Ying, and there was far too much of their father in them for XiChen to refuse this courting. He knew that if he tried, it would not end well for the Lans. The amount of rumors that would fly just because Lan Wangji left...he knew that his brother was more than aware of that and was using it, but still...he had to admire his brother's flair. He held that love for those chaotic natures. Their father with their mother, their Uncle with Changse, and now, Lan Wangji with Wei Ying. It was almost laughable. XiChen would not laugh, considering the situation he now held himself in, but it was worth noting.

"And what...pray tell, has gotten you to say this?" Lan Qiren questioned, pressing his fingertips together. XiChen almost rolled his eyes. At one point in time, he had worried whenever his Uncle did that, now it had no such effect on him. Now...XiChen merely pressed his palms onto the table that separated them and tilted his head to the side as though assessing his Uncle.

"Do I need to be so specific?" XiChen questioned, as he pulled himself into a sitting position so that he and his Uncle were more on even level. His Uncle may not be in charge anymore, but XiChen did still respect him enough to allow this, at the least. He also did not want to antagonize his Uncle too much. Just enough for the elder to remember that he was not in charge anymore, but also not wanting to anger him too much. The reminder would be enough of a blow, Xichen knew.

"I would prefer you were," his Uncle made quite an amazing recovery considering. He gave his Uncle a rather simple smile, a polite one, one that he often used when stating things that were being stated merely because of respect or politeness' sake. His Uncle bristled, but did not say anything. He could not, and it was something that XiChen was happy to see.

"He is not safe, in his current circumstances." XiChen informed, a sigh exiting his breath and his previous determined demeanor slowly softening to something more nervous and shy. "I...Wangji has shared how he worries about the safety of Young Master Wei. After seeing the two today and speaking with them, I have to admit...I do believe there is merit in Wangji's worry." He sighed out heavily. "The Young Master Jiang was certainly not happy, and I am fairly sure that I...noticed...some markings on the Young Master Wei, though I did not press too much further. Young Master Wei has also asked that we be prepared for a...Rather harsh reaction from the Jiang family."

"A negative one, or..."

"Quite negative, actually. He has warned me that they likely will not take well to his betrothal, considering the young Jiang Heir did not." His Uncle furrowed his brows and nodded.

"Very well, we shall move him, It would not do for him to get hurt on our watch, particularly since Wangji would be quite upset." His uncle conceded, and XiChen hid a smirk. He knew that would work, it almost always worked, and it worked with the Elders more often than not. One just had to know how to upset the system without truly breaking it. XiChen was rather good at that. "XiChen, are you worried about this situation...as well?" Lan Qiren asked, having seen XiChen's contemplative look that he continued to give the table.

"From what I can gather," XiChen began slowly. "Based off of the interactions between Wei WuXian and the Jiang family still here, the Jiangs do not think very highly of Wei WuXian. It would seem, even more so now, that he was increasingly mistreated rather continually. Though to the extent, I am uncertain. Wangji would likely know, but I do not believe now to be a good time to dwell on that matter."

"And why is that? If a child has been mistreated within a sect that actively took the child in, we should most certainly be concerned about our relations with such a sect."

"We should be concerned for a great deal of things, uncle. XiChen snapped, his eyes gathering a somewhat cold look. "Wangji is rather protective at the current moment, and your dark looks that you seem to never spare for the young boy definitely do not help. He is protective, and desirous. Whilst yes, we are definitely going to have to get to the bottom of the matter, now is not the time to do so."

"You are right," Lan Qiren huffed. "Did Wei WuXian say anything more about what was to happen, assuming the Jiangs decide to make a personal visit?"

"I do not think that there is much to be done in that assumption part. He seemed rather certain that they would, and if half of the things that I have seen are true, it will not end well, for them at least." XiChen added at the end, a glint overtaking his eyes. Lan Qiren almost shivered. For as much as Wangji was ever so much like their father, XiChen was so much more so. Though perhaps he did not have a lover to make it all the more obvious. Both Jades were almost identical copies of their father, but in various ways. Wangji was more withdrawn, in such a way that was remincent of his mother, but XiChen, XiChen was definitely his father's son. His protection of Wangji was what he would have expected from the Lan Clan, and their cursed way of love.

XiChen did not have a lover, but he did have Wangji, and the sort of actions he took with Wangji definitely were of his Father's love, but...The two were really the downfall of the curse. Lan Qiren could only hope things did not progress further. Wangji had already threatened to exile himself from his sect for Wei WuXian's sake, and XiChen had done the utmost to ensure that it had not happened. The two Jades were far more alike then many thought, despite their obvious differences.