Pitched Normal

39

"Please state why it is that you are here." Qiren stated, leaving the Madam to look at him with a fire in her eyes. XiChen made no motion of anything, despite the fact that he had actively told Qiren about what was going on, so this was his Uncle merely trolling the Jiangs. XiChen felt sometimes, that his Uncle held grudges far longer than anyone else that he had the pleasure of knowing. At times, it caused some internal conflicts, but there were other times, such as this that he enjoyed his Uncle's lack of kindness when it came to some people. The Madam seemed to have quite the temper though, and whilst he was glad that his Uncle was irritating them, he was not entirely sure that it was the wisest choice for the Lans to anger them at the moment, at least, not overly so.

Then again, his Uncle would know better about these sorts of things because he had done them so much more than XiChen. Whilst the current Sect Leader may have sat in during marriage proposals, as is wont of the Leader of GusuLan, it was rare that he had actively a part of them, but then again, he had not really ever expected to be. He was happy enough that Lan Wangji had found someone he was contented with. Although, he knew that Wangji's feelings were definitely not in question, and he could tell that Wuxian, though perhaps he may not entirely notice it yet, was thralled by Wangji, he wondered just how much this was a tactic to ensure that Wei WuXian did not go back to the Jiangs.

"We were going to speak on your youngest nephew and our ward's proposed engagement." Madam Yu said, her teeth gritted and the words barely managing to come from her mouth. XiChen almost wanted to laugh, if the situation were not as dire as it were. Given the situation, however, it was not appropriate, and he would prefer to get out of this with some relations still in tact, even if he felt that was unlikely. Furthermore, the entire point of this was to get an idea of how these people interacted, that was the necessary key to figuring out some of Wei WuXian's ticks. Things that they should be careful on in the future when talking with or about him. That was the main reason that they were even pretending to play this. They already were not being painted the brightest picture.

"Speak on? I suppose that is a good idea. Details should be spoke through before we inform the cultivation world of the engagement." Lan Qiren said, tugging on his goatee thoughtfully as dark eyes assessed the Jiang, who made it clear with their body language that they definitely had not expected Qiren to be in on the engagement, or agree. XiChen inwardly laughed at that. The image of startled Jiangs was something he did not think that he would rid from his mind anytime soon.

"I...was under the impression that you would not be exactly favourable to this union." Madam Yu stated, her fingers curling into her palms angrily. XiChen gave her a small smile. He had thought so originally too, but they both knew first hand how dangerous it was to refuse a direct Descendant of the lan family. Their father was far more than enough proof that refusing was only going to lead to disastrous choices from both sides. Their Father had caused a lot of issues, and that was just the half of it. He knew that the both of them had their father's genes, it was only a matter of time, or at least, many people believed that to be such.

He could tell that person was Wei WuXian for Wangji. He had already threatened to leave the sect should they refuse his request. XiChen knew he had been dead serious. It would look bad on the sect if their heir defected, as well. It was more to do with sect politics than anything else, but anything regarding the heirs had to do with sect politics. Something that both he and Wangji acknowledged quite a long time ago. He also knew, had the Elders not been so terrified Wangji would go rogue like their father, they would have put up much more of a fight.

"Why would I not be favourable to the union?" Qiren questioned, his brows furrowed down at the audacity. Partially, XiChen knew, it was the assumptions of his character that annoyed him. Such things were against the rules of course. His Uncle was a rather strong stickler for obeying the rules. To see a Clan so easily disregard the Lan rules irked him, and it always had. "Both are eager, and furthermore, Wei WuXian has behaved himself rather well during his visit here. Both him and Wangji seemed to be quite taken with one another, and Young Master Wei has been quite helpful in aiding the less...talented students during the course of his stay. I would say there does not seem to be any reason to refuse the union. Particularly if Wangji wants it so badly." 

"We just meant..." Madam Yu was cut off by her husband elbowing her slightly in the side. She turned to glare at him, but once she glanced back towards Lan Qiren and Lan XiChen she realized that she had somewhat doomed herself a little bit. The only real reason that Lan Qiren should be unfavourable was on the grounds that Wei WuXian was a boy, and his father was a servant, but that was mere classism, and given the fact that his mother was far more than a mere servant, it did not matter. Furthermore, once Wei Changmei had defected from the sect, he had ended his servant status, and even his status in the household was more than a 'servant' though many would deem it such. He was quite a talented disciple, and head of the training fields. Not to mention he routinely aided the Jiang clan in trade routes, and negotiation conflicts. There was much about Changmei that was far more than a servant.

"To be perfectly honest, Madam Yu, I do not believe either me nor my Uncle particularly care what you meant." XiChen said simply, his voice stern and firm, not allowing for questioning as he had gotten tired of the run around. "The only reason my Uncle is even in this room right now is because you would have requested his presence had he not been. Even then, whatever he feels on the matter is irrelivent in the end because he is not in charge of this Sect, I am. As I have told you previously, I have no dispute over the betrothal, and the rest of the Elders have agreed as well, unless you doubt my words, and would like me to summon every one of them to prove it to you. Furthermore, I do not see much different in class regarding my brother and young Master Wei. There is a reason he is still considered a Young Master, and that is because though his parents may have been rogues, his mother and his father were both incredibly talented cultivators. They made a name for themselves despite not having a sect, they managed to handle themselves well, and furthermore he is the grandson of the Immortal Bao Shanren. If anything, Wangji is of a much lower class than Wei WuXian is. Or would you like to question Bao Shanren of her status? And by consequence her most formidable disciple and adopted daughter's?"